Rise In Suicides Main Topic When Select Committee Meets Says Azalina

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Azalina Othman Said is chairman of the parliamentary select committee on women, children and social development affairs. (File pic)PETALING JAYA: The rise in suicides in the past six months will be the first item on the agenda when the parliamentary select committee on women, children and social development affairs meets, says its chairman, Azalina Othman Said.
The Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker expressed concern over how children aged 15 to 18 and women formed the bulk of suicide cases from 2019 to May 2021.
“I’m confident that by optimising the role and function of this special select committee, it will help the government find a way to resolve the matter so that suicides can be curbed,” she said in a statement today.
“The select committee has the power to call before it any person, including those with the necessary expertise and skills, under Standing Order 83 (2).
“As stipulated under Standing Order 86, the select committee will also prepare and present several recommendations relating to this issue.
“I am confident that optimising the functions and role of the select committee will assist the government in finding a thorough and speedy solution to this issue.”
Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan said yesterday Malaysia recorded 468 suicide cases from January to May – an average of three cases a day.
He also said 631 suicide cases were recorded in 2020 and 609 in 2019.
On Tuesday, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah noted that the 336 suicide cases reported in Malaysia in the first three months of this year were more than half of what was reported throughout 2020. - FMT

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