Malaysia’s first rural Child Friendly Communities Initiative launches in Dalat and Mukah

MDDM–UNICEF collaboration will place children’s voices at the center of local planning and inform child-friendly approaches for rural communities 

MUKAH, Malaysia, 12 August 2026 - The Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) and UNICEF Malaysia today launched the Child Friendly Communities Initiative, Malaysia’s first rural adaptation of UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative. 

Through a new Memorandum of Understanding, MDDM and UNICEF will use local data and consultations with children and their communities to identify priorities, develop an action plan, implement agreed measures and monitor whether those actions are improving children’s lives. 

The initiative will adapt child-friendly local governance to more geographically dispersed communities, where distance and transport can shape access to services and opportunities to participate. The MoU was signed by Cr. Aini bin Suhaili, Chairman of MDDM and Robert Gass, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam 

"With this signing, we begin the first rural adaptation of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative in Malaysia, the Child Friendly Communities Initiative. This is significant because childhood is not defined by geography. Children grow up in cities, towns, kampungs, longhouses and coastal communities. Their surroundings may be different, but their rights are the same. Every child deserves to grow up safe, included, heard, and with the opportunity to reach their full potential." said Robert Gass, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.  

Under the partnership, MDDM and UNICEF will use data and consultations to understand children's needs, develop a locally grounded action plan, implement agreed priorities, and monitor progress. Children will remain involved throughout - from identifying concerns to reviewing whether action is making a difference. 

The rural pilot builds on the progress of Sarawak's first Child Friendly Cities Initiative cohort. Seven local authorities are currently recognized as Candidate Cities after finalizing action plans and making three-year commitments to become more child friendly. Those plans were informed by data, consultations with children, and engagement with government, councils, communities, civil society, and partners. 

Children consulted through the initiative identified vaping as a priority concern, citing peer pressure, easy access and exposure in their surroundings. The issue has been raised with the Sarawak CFCI Working Committee, co-chaired by the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development. A stakeholder consultation is planned for September, with child council members expected to take part. This is an important step from listening to children to acting on what they have told us. 

UNICEF will work with the local councils to document effective approaches, identify what needs to be adapted, and understand what support a district council requires. The lessons can help Sarawak refine a practical model for expanding child-friendly governance to other rural and district council settings. 

UNICEF welcomes the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development in championing the initiative and creating a channel for issues raised by children to reach decision-makers. 

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Notes to editors 

About Dalat, Mukah and the rural pilot 

Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) is the local authority for Dalat and Mukah districts in Mukah Division, Sarawak. Based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2025 population estimates by administrative districts, the two districts have a combined population of 64,500 people, including approximately 13,736 children. The Child Friendly Communities Initiative is the rural adaptation of UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities Initiative being piloted by MDDM. It will help the Council understand children's needs, plan and implement local initiatives, monitor progress and keep children meaningfully involved. 

Sarawak's CFCI Candidate Cities 

Sarawak's first cohort comprises Kuching South, Kuching North, Padawan, Kota Samarahan, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu. The seven local authorities have finalized action plans and were recognized as Candidate Cities for a three-year implementation period from 4 December 2025 for Kuching South, and from 8 February 2026 for the other cities.