Ministry awaits police probe into childcare centre neglect allegation, says Nancy

KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is awaiting for police to complete their investigation into a woman’s allegation that her baby girl was hurt due to neglect at a childcare centre (taska) recently.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said she had been informed that a suspect was detained to assist investigations, adding she would await further action from the police.

"It (centre) is registered. That’s why we could take swift action (against the childcare centre),” she said at a press conference after attending the ministry’s “Kasih Ramadan” programme here today (April 9).

She was commenting on the woman's claim, which went viral on social media, alleging that the centre had neglected her 13-month-old child by leaving the girl unsupervised in an isolated room, and who had bite marks caused by other children.

The ministry issued a notice of warning yesterday and ordered the centre to be temporarily closed.

Nancy said her ministry takes responsibility to ensure that registered childcare centre operators comply with the conditions as stipulated under the Child Care Centre Act 1984 (Act 308) to deal with any cases that occur at the premises.

"In fact, we have already established guidelines for the staff and we are reinforcing the conditions to be followed by them (childcare centre operators). From time to time, we will see what else needs to be improved in the situation at the centre,” she said. - Bernama