Parliamentary Panel Proposes Milk Subsidies as Malaysia Faces Rising Child Stunting Rate of 21.2%
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — A parliamentary committee has recommended introducing targeted milk subsidies as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem of child stunting in Malaysia, following a steady rise in recent years.
Committee chair Yeo Bee Yin said milk is one of the most accessible and effective sources of nutrients essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet it has not been prioritised under current subsidy programmes.
She said the committee believes that relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Finance Malaysia and the Ministry of Health Malaysia, should reassess subsidy allocations to ensure milk is more affordable and accessible, especially for vulnerable households.
She explained that stunting has far-reaching consequences beyond physical growth, as it can impair brain development, resulting in reduced neuron formation and weaker neural connections.
This can negatively affect cognitive ability, language skills and attention span, ultimately impacting a child’s long-term potential.
Malaysia stands out in Southeast Asia for rising stunting rates
According to the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysia’s stunting rate among children under five rose to 21.2%, compared to 17.7% in 2015.
Malaysia is currently the only Southeast Asian country to record an increase in stunting over the past two decades, raising serious concerns among policymakers.
Experts warn that untreated stunting can have lasting effects on education, workforce productivity and economic development.
Committee recommends extended intervention and mandatory monitoring
In addition to milk subsidies, the committee proposed mandatory growth monitoring for young children to ensure early detection and intervention.
It also recommended extending nutritional support programmes from the first 1,000 days of life to 2,000 days, covering children up to five years old.
The committee noted that stunting often goes unnoticed after 18 months due to fewer routine health check-ups until preschool age.
To address this gap, it suggested compulsory nutrition consultations at six, 12 and 18 months at both public and private healthcare facilities.
Malaysia encouraged to follow Indonesia’s successful model
The committee also highlighted Indonesia as a successful example in reducing child stunting.
Indonesia reduced its stunting rate from 30.8% in 2018 to 19.8% in 2024 through coordinated national efforts supported by legislation.
Based on this success, the committee recommended that Malaysia consider introducing a similar legal framework to strengthen its anti-stunting initiatives.
It also called for stronger public education campaigns and faster implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
The committee stressed that urgent and coordinated action is needed to safeguard children’s health and secure Malaysia’s future human capital.
-wilayah.com.my
