KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 41,842 girls aged 19 and below were recorded as pregnant at government health facilities between 2020 and 2024, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the figure covers both married and unmarried teens, based on Health Ministry data.
"Of the 41,842 teen pregnancies, about 50% are Malay, 11% Iban, 9% Orang Asli (Peninsular), 5% Chinese, 3% Indian, with the remainder made up of various other ethnicities," she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 20).
She was responding to Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar), who asked for the number of out-of-wedlock teen pregnancies by ethnicity and the measures being taken to address the issue.
Nancy added that 16,951 of these cases involved unmarried girls, but the Health Ministry does not provide further breakdowns by ethnicity for this category.
She stressed that addressing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies required a whole-of-society response.
"Efforts to curb this issue must be mobilised by all parties for the sake of a healthier future generation," she said.
Nancy said her ministry will soon launch the National Family Policy and National Family Action Plan to strengthen family institutions and improve social stability, including empowering family planning through stronger parental and youth roles.
Ongoing initiatives under the ministry include reproductive health education, counselling, and community-based support.
Among these is the Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy and Action Plan (Pekerti), which aims to raise awareness and promote responsible, resilient behaviour among young people.
Under Pekerti, reproductive health skills are strengthened through both formal school education and non-formal programmes.
These efforts are coordinated across ministries via the National Social Council, with measures such as embedding Pekerti programmes in higher education, expanding Pekerti at community level, and increasing advocacy on reproductive and social health.
Nancy also highlighted support services provided by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), including KafeTEEN centres, the KafeTEEN truck, and school-based programmes.
"KafeTEEN offers guidance and education to help shape teens who are positive physically, mentally and socially," she said, adding the initiative currently spans 18 centres, one mobile truck and community outreach activities providing reproductive health clinics and psychosocial counselling.
Peer educator training under Kelab KafeTEEN has also expanded to 143 secondary schools in collaboration with the Education Ministry.
