Implementation of Youth Protection Policy Through the Lens of Law and Social Ethics in Malaysia

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_5How to use a DOI?

Keywords

At-Risk Youth; Maqasid Syariah; Policy Implementation; Social Ethic; Youth Protection

Abstract

The protection of at-risk youth has become a pressing concern in many developing nations, including Malaysia, due to the increasing complexity of challenges faced by adolescents. These challenges are not merely individual but are shaped by broader socio-economic, legal, and cultural dynamics. At-risk youth represent a vulnerable group requiring special attention in terms of protection, education, and character development. In Malaysia, issues such as school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, sexual abuse, involvement in juvenile crime, and unregulated exposure to social media have further exacerbated their vulnerabilities. Consequently, the implementation of a comprehensive and interdisciplinary protection policy is urgently needed to address these multifaceted challenges. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse the implementation of protection policies for at-risk youth in Malaysia from the perspectives of law and social ethics, and to assess their effectiveness in line with the principles of well-being and social responsibility. A qualitative approach was adopted, using doctrinal and content analysis. Data were derived from a review of national policies, official government reports, academic publications, and key statutes including the Child Act 2001 (Amendment 2016), the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and selected Syariah legal provisions. The study also draws upon the principles of Maqasid Syariah as an ethical framework for evaluating the relevance and responsiveness of current policies. The findings reveal a significant gap between policy formulation and actual implementation at the grassroots level. Contributing factors include weak coordination among implementing agencies, limited public legal literacy, and persistent social stigma towards at-risk youth, all of which hinder the effectiveness of these efforts. The study recommends a more inclusive, collaborative, and integrated policy approach that strengthens institutional capacity, fosters sustained community participation, and aligns with core values of dignity, rights, and shared social responsibility.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Adibah Bahori
AU  - Hajah Makiah Tussaripah Jamil
AU  - Aishah Mohd Nor
AU  - Wan Nor Aisyah Binti Wan Yussof
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/07
TI  - Implementation of Youth Protection Policy Through the Lens of Law and Social Ethics in Malaysia
BT  - Proceedings of the UUM 13th International Legal Conference 2025 (UUMILC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 54
EP  - 72
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_5
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-785-9_5
ID  - Bahori2026
ER  -