KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) is strengthening its marriage counselling and conciliation services to help couples manage conflicts amid an increase in divorce cases, with 60,457 cases recorded nationwide last year.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the effort was being implemented through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), including its Family Conciliation Body established in collaboration with the National Registration Department (JPN).
She said the body, which provides family counselling and marriage tribunal services, had handled 236 couple cases since beginning operations in October 2024, with 31 couples (13.1 per cent) successfully reconciled and another 24 per cent opting to continue counselling with LPPKN.
"Strengthening these services is crucial following the 60,457 divorce cases recorded in 2024, an increase of 4.1 per cent compared to the previous year," she said at the Marital Happiness Forum here today.
Nancy said marital conflict not only affects couples but can also impair the emotional well-being of children.
"The 2022 National Adolescent Health Survey by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, which involved over 33,000 secondary school students, found that about one in four adolescents experienced depression, while one in six felt lonely," she said.
Nancy said domestic violence cases also showed an increase, with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) recording 7,391 cases last year compared to 5,507 in 2023.
She said KPWKM, through the Department of Women's Development, was implementing the "Stop Domestic Violence" campaign to raise public awareness.
The forum, held in conjunction with Counselling Month 2026, was attended by 1,600 participants nationwide and featured 100 Family Psychoeducational Group sessions conducted by registered professional counsellors, earning a Malaysia Book of Records recognition.
-- BERNAMA