SHAH ALAM: SEVERAL Selangor assemblymen are calling for a moratorium on Section 317 of the Penal Code, which criminalises the abandonment of children.
This was with regard to baby dumping, specifically the case of an abandoned baby boy at the doorstep of a laundromat in USJ 8 on March 5.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng questioned the effectiveness of the law in such cases.
Ng said the law reduced the probability of the baby being reunited with the parents, as the parents would not want to own up knowing that they would face criminal charges.
"We should instead look at the root cause of the problem, which may be related to socio-economics, education, welfare, or legal matters.
"A child’s first year is the most stressful period for the parents.
"The mother may be going through post-natal depression and take actions that she may regret later.
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"I hope the government can be more compassionate on such matters," she said to reporters at a press conference during a break at the Selangor State Assembly.
Ng also gave examples of successful policies and programmes in other countries to address the baby dumping issue.
In Sweden, Ng said the government provided extensive support and resources for young parents, including subsidised childcare, parental leave and counselling.
"Canada and the United States have safe haven laws, which allow parents to safely surrender their newborns to designated locations without fear of prosecution.
"Perhaps it is time for the government to study the system in place to address the baby dumping issue in the country, and weigh its effectiveness, as well as look for ways to improve it," she said.
Ng also said that she was only speaking about babies that were found alive, as babies found dead would be charged under Section 318 of the Penal Code, which was a separate matter.
In support of Ng's proposal were Selangor women, family empowerment, welfare and care economy committee chairman and Taman Templer assemblyman Anfaal Saari, Meru assemblyman Mariam Abdul Rashid, Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling, Kajang assemblyman David Cheong Kian Young and Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad.
