Based on figures recorded by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Department of Immigration and National Registration (JIPK), there were a total of 2,054 births over an eight-year period from 2019 up to the first three months of 2026, which alone recorded 33 births.
Out of the 2,054 births, 1,762 were born to citizen mothers; 70 to permanent residents (stateless) and 219 to foreign nationals.
These details were shared by Minister of Religious Affairs Datuk Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Badaruddin Othman, in addressing the matters raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Safiah Sheikh Abdul Salam at the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the LegCo on Saturday.
From the perspective of Syariah criminal records under Section 94(1) of the Syariah Penal Code involving offences of women becoming pregnant out of wedlock, records show 19 cases in 2023; 17 cases in 2024 and 12 cases last year, which also shows a declining trend over the past three years. There were no reported cases under Section 94(5) involving men responsible for impregnating Muslim women out of wedlock.
Awareness efforts implemented include religious outreach and education with focus on awareness programmes to strengthen faith, morals and character along with preventive efforts according to the law with programmes conducted in various formats and approaches suiting with the atmosphere and condition among the target audience.
Prevention and awareness programmes are conducted in educational institutions and communities where in 2025 alone, 25 sessions were held with 3,052 participants.
The programmes aim to increase awareness and understanding, encourage repentance and moral reform and to highlight the legal implication on the offence of prohibited close proximity between unmarried male and female and other legal implications such as the absence of the father’s name on birth certificates.
Efforts also include continuous monitoring and enforcement including patrols and operations in high-risk locations of immoral activities.
In terms of Support Systems for Affected Children matters, the minister pointed out that children classified as illegitimate are recognised as orphans under the Islamic law and relevant legislation, and they are eligible for social welfare protection, including Zakat assistance (food, schooling expenses, allowances, scholarships including higher education, locally and abroad). — Borneo Bulletin/ANN
