SHAH ALAM - Children growing up in low cost flats are grappling with five major social problems, ranging from poor parental supervision and school dropouts to malnutrition, weak character development and the lack of safe spaces for positive activities, according to Adab Youth Garage (AYG).
The non-governmental organisation identified the issues through ongoing monitoring in several states, highlighting the growing risks faced by children in densely populated urban flats.
AYG Network and Administration Director Muhammad Norafiq Zairuddin said economic pressure forces many parents to take on multiple jobs, leaving children without proper supervision.
“Cramped flat homes do not provide space for play, so children go downstairs. That is where they mix with older youths who smoke, loiter and fight.
“Over time, some of them are feared to adopt the same behaviour. If there is no safe space, these children are very exposed to social risks," he told Sinar Harian.
Education remains one of the most pressing concerns, with Muhammad Norafiq noting that some children have lost interest in schooling altogether.
He said some attend school only three to four days a week, while an estimated four per cent do not attend school at all.
"There are primary school pupils who still cannot read, while some others are unable to register for school due to the absence of identity documents such as MyKid or MyKad.
"Malnutrition is also a concern as many flat children lack nutrients, have decayed teeth and are physically smaller than their actual age.
"Healthy food requires higher costs. So they choose food such as instant noodles because it is cheap and fills them up quickly even though it is not nutritious," he said.
In response, AYG established youth activity centres within flat communities to create safe environments for children to engage in meaningful activities.
Among its key initiatives is the Homework Club, launched in 2016, aimed at assisting with schoolwork and nurturing the discipline of congregational prayer.
"Smart Study Groups are also held to help students prepare for examinations, reading classes for those who are still illiterate and religious classes to strengthen personal character.
"AYG also practises the Youth-Adult Partnership concept, where youths themselves propose activities while youth workers provide guidance so that the projects carried out benefit the community,” he said.
Each AYG centre is managed by full-time youth workers who focus on early prevention, a proactive approach that differs from post-issue social intervention.
"We choose to go directly to the flats to engage with the community and now school attendance among flat children has increased by nine per cent after joining AYG.
"More safe spaces specifically for youths should be provided, as existing community centres are more dominated by adults.
"Most importantly, each space must have full-time youth workers who work with passion," he stressed.
Since 2013, AYG has expanded to operate 15 centres nationwide, including in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.