Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun
PETALING JAYA: Any babysitter, childcare centre or care centre will face legal action if a case of child abuse is reported on its premises, warns the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Its minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said while the Welfare Department only had the authority to inspect registered care centres and ensure they were operating at the best level as stipulated by the law, abusers would not be able to escape the law.
“The police will investigate any case involving abuse of residents under the Penal Code.
“If there are complaints and references related to child abuse, the Welfare Department Protector will investigate the place and rescue the child from the premises,” Rina told The Star.
For children in need of care and protection under the Children Act 2001, they could be placed under the care of a fit and proper person or in a safe place, she said.
Rina said this in response to revelations by police that there were 504 cases of child abuse reported from 2019 to 2022 involving nannies, maids, registered childcare centres and caregivers of orphanages.
For registered care centres, Rina said authorised Welfare Department officers appointed under Section 12 of the Care Centres Act 1993 would investigate complaints and inspect premises to ensure compliance.
“After the care centre is registered with the Welfare Department, our officers are responsible for conducting periodic inspections on the care centre every six months or twice a year as well as ad hoc inspections to ensure they comply with all the provisions set out under the Care Centres Act 1993 and Care Centres Regulations 1994.
“If there are findings of non-compliance, the officer will recommend a number of enforcement actions such as written instructions of the director-general, closure or seal order, deregistration, compounding and prosecution,” said Rina.
She added that each care centre must be registered under the Care Centres Act 1993. This is to ensure that all care centres provide excellent services and care to the residents and comply with the standards set by law, she said.
All registered care centres must also follow standards such as having number of adequate caregivers to population ratio, adhering to the minimum required floor space and employing guardians and employees aged 18 years old and above.
Care centres must also follow requirements such as serving meals with adequate and balanced nutrition, implementing proper and appropriate activities, having adequate and well-maintained equipment and furniture as well as keeping all necessary records and documents.
“They must also comply with all laws from the authorities relating to building structure, fire and safety requirements, health and sanitation,” said Rina.
Any complaint or reports of abuse can be channelled via TALIAN KASIH at 15999 or at any nearby Welfare Department office.
