PETALING JAYA: Only licensed and registered childcare centres should be allowed to operate, given the rise in child abuse cases occurring in such premises, says social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
Lee also said that many child abuse cases go undetected at childcare centres because these premises are not registered.
"If they are not registered, then they don't come under the radar of the authorities, causing abuse cases to go undetected, unless the victims lodge a report.
"Only licensed childcare centres should be allowed to operate," said Lee.
Lee also said present legislation on childcare centres should be tightened.
"Merely asking them (childcare centres) to follow SOP and take necessary steps to prevent abuse under their care is insufficient.
"There must be well thought-out laws that will provide clear provisions which protect children at childcare centres," said Lee.
Lee was responding to reports by The Star highlighting present issues plaguing childcare centres across the country.
Presently, childcare centres and care homes were governed by two different Acts - Child Care Centre Act 1984 and the Care Centres Act 1993.
Lee also said those employed to work at childcare centres must go through mental health assessments to ensure they are psychologically fit to work with children.
"Abuse cases that happened in the past, many of them can be related to mental health issues, which must be avoided," added Lee.
Lee said childcare centres must be regularly monitored by the authorities.
"There must be regular checks on these centres to ensure they are properly managed," Lee added.
Lee also emphasised the importance of implementing occupational health and safety (OSH) practices in childcare centres.
"Staff must also be properly trained so they understand the basics of OSH in childcare centres," added Lee.
Statistics from Bukit Aman's Sexual, Women and Child Investigations division (D11) between 2019 and April 2022 showed the police arrested 2,055 suspects for child abuse, where 504 of them were caretakers and maids.
During the same period, D11's data also showed 371 of those were identified as caretakers introduced to victims by friends or neighbours.
A total of 146 child abuse cases also occurred in both registered and unregistered childcare centres during the same period.