The Lelaki Budiman Negara programme aims to empower men and reduce domestic violence, with police data showing rising male victim cases.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is actively implementing the Lelaki Budiman Negara Programme through the National Population and Family Development Board to strengthen family institutions and enhance human capital development.
Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said this initiative aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan and focuses on developing an education module to empower men as responsible husbands, fathers and community members.
She stated that the programme is timely because statistics reveal men are also victims of domestic violence.
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Police data recorded 1,778 male victims in 2022, which decreased to 1,213 cases in 2023 but rose again to 1,865 cases in 2024.
For 2025, up to July alone, there have already been 1,183 cases of male domestic violence victims.
Noraini provided this information during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi who inquired about LPPKN’s family development programmes and their effectiveness in reducing abuse against men.
The effectiveness of these programmes is measured using the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model focusing on three indicators.
These indicators are knowledge acquisition, practical application and behavioural change among participants.
Findings up to the second quarter of this year show more than 90% of participants reported better knowledge.
Nearly 90% of participants applied what they learned from the programmes in their daily lives.
Almost 70% of participants demonstrated positive behavioural changes following programme involvement.
This indicates that programmes like Parenting at Work and other LPPKN initiatives have improved family literacy.
These initiatives have encouraged mutual respect between partners and reduced the risk of abuse including against men.
In response to a supplementary question about reaching male victims, Noraini acknowledged the ongoing challenge.
She explained that many men hesitate to come forward due to feelings of shame, fear and social stigma.
Society must become more empathetic and less judgmental toward male victims of domestic violence.
LPPKN continues to strengthen early intervention measures including counselling services for those in need.
Participants can choose to speak with either a male or female counsellor based on their comfort level.
Male counsellors often make male victims feel more comfortable when sharing their personal problems.
Noraini reminded victims that they can seek help through the Talian Kasih helpline at 15999.
She emphasised that the government’s domestic violence awareness campaign is inclusive since abuse affects both men and women. – Bernama
