KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,424 child abuse cases have been reported as of August this year, with three occurring at childcare centres (taska), says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said all Malaysians naturally feel angry when such child abuse cases occur, especially those involving neglect and abuse at childcare centres.
"As of August 2024, a total of 4,244 abuse-related cases have been reported. However, only three of these cases were reported to have occurred in taska. The majority occurred at the hands of individuals known to the children themselves," she said.
Noraini said this when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik (PN-Balik Pulau) during Question Time.
Muhammad Bakhtiar had asked whether the Ministry intended to amend the necessary laws related to childcare centres and make it compulsory to obtain a special card from the Social Welfare Department to deter child abuse cases.
Noraini said most abuse cases also occurred at unregistered childcare centres, which the ministry was unaware of.
"If these centres were registered with the Ministry or listed under the Department, we would have already issued warning notices to prevent them from operating until the registration process is complete," she said.
"That is why we launched the Child Advocacy Programme as an effort to raise awareness and educate the general public, particularly children, about what they can do to reduce or completely prevent abuse against them."
"We also take note of and welcome the earlier suggestion regarding ways to reduce child abuse, especially in childcare centres,” she added.
