KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that an independent children’s commission will be set up under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

During a press conference today, Anwar said the commission will deal with cases of abuse and social problems related to children.

"We asked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to chair a social committee to study all related problems.

"(Minister of Women, Family and Community Development) Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri will also be involved,” he said after the Cabinet meeting.

He also said that the name of the children’s commissioner will be revealed by one of the ministries at a later date.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that the government was mulling the possibility of establishing an independent commission to better safeguard the wellbeing of children in the country.