THREE cases involving deaths and 21 cases linked to abuse were reported at nurseries (taska), says the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said the Welfare Department had enforced a special guideline that allows authorities to seal or order the temporary closure of nurseries under police investigation.
“This special guideline allows immediate and stern action to be taken especially in abuse, negligence and for cases that can cause danger to children or residents of the premises,” she told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Noraini said as of September, 23 enforcement actions had been taken under the guideline.
This included four unregistered nurseries being sealed while nine were issued with a temporary closure order.
“Of these numbers, three were linked to death while 20 were linked to complaints of abuse.”
She said the Welfare Department and the ministry had taken steps to reduce the risk of untoward incidents at such centres.
This includes officers conducting unannounced and periodic checks to ensure nurseries comply with standards, the law and advocacy programmes.
Noraini said the 15999 Talian Kasih also allows abuse cases to be reported at any time.
She said the registration of nurseries is important in ensuring that the quality benchmark and basic standards are met to reduce the risk of negligence and abuse of children.
“I am urging all parties, including parents and the public, to report unregistered nurseries,” Noraini added.
She was responding to a question by Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) on the number of abuse cases at nurseries nationwide and the measures taken to prevent such incidents.
It was reported on Nov 6 that the Melaka Social Welfare Department is monitoring over 10 unregistered childcare centres in the state under the Child Care Centre Act 1984.
