GEORGE TOWN: A childcare centre here has been ordered to shut down following an incident of sexual abuse involving one of its residents.
A 17-year-old girl had claimed that she was kissed on the lips and hugged by a man, believed to be the chairman of the home on the Penang island, on Feb 19.
Penang Welfare Department director Zakaria Taib said the centre would need to be closed down within the next few days.
“The home is not registered and we will place the remaining five children in another home.
“We have moved the alleged victim and her siblings to another home after the incident came to light.
“The victim is currently living with her mother in Johor Baru.
“Our priority is the children’s safety. The case is now being handled by the police.” he added.
Prior to the incident, there were 10 children staying at the centre.
The incident, believed to have been captured on CCTV, came to light after a social worker with a non-governmental organisation lodged a police report on May 1.
Police picked up the man, in his 40s, for questioning a day later. He was released on police bail.
In the police report, the social worker said the girl alleged that the man had hugged and kissed her on the lips at 8.30pm on Feb 19.
The report claimed that the man had been “harassing” the girl since December 2022.
Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Kamarul Rizal Jenal (pic) said investigation papers on the case had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor’s office on Aug 30, with a request to charge the man under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
He added initial investigation showed that the centre has been operating since June 2022.
It was listed as an NGO with its application to the state Welfare Department still pending approval, he said.
“The girl is now staying with her mother in Taman Tampoi Utama, Johor Baru.
“Her elder brother and younger sister, who were also staying at the home previously, were transferred to the Children Protection Centre in Johor after the incident,” said Supt Kamarul.
Child Protection Society Penang social service head G. Suria Kumari said the home should not have been allowed to operate.
She added rules must be adhered to if there is a request to register a childcare centre with the authorities.
