These measures include issuing adopted children with regular birth certificates that do not mention that they are adopted. The amendment is being seen as a way of encouraging childless couples to adopt orphaned or abandoned children. Adoption is still seen by many as a last resort in Malaysia. Termed the 'luckless' ones by society, childless couples usually spend thousands of dollars undergoing infertility treatment trying to conceive a child before they even consider adopting. In most cases where the couple decides to adopt, they resort to illegal methods of buying a baby illegally, preferably a newborn.
Some couples also alter the birth certificates to include their names as parents.
With the new regulation, the authorities hope that people will go through proper and legal channels to adopt a child. According to Siti Zaharah, the ministry is aware of the fact that many parents do not want to tell their children that they are adopted. However, the minister's decision is drawing its share of criticism from people who believe that it is not for the government to decide whether parents should tell their adopted children the truth or not. According to Eng, hiding the facts is not a correct approach as children have a right to the truth. On the face of it, the new policy seems like a good idea.