PUTRAJAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will re-evaluate the applications to register two nurseries in Selangor and Sarawak linked to recent infant deaths and injuries.
Its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that the applications could not be approved hastily, as the nurseries were under police investigation.
"...because it involves a child who died (in the Selangor case). Other factors make us cautious about approval as well, so careful consideration is required.
"If we approve it without due diligence, it could endanger children's safety further," she said during a press conference after the presentation of the nursery registration plaque at Taska Seri Kandi, Audit Department on Friday (Jan 10).
On Thursday (Jan 9), a four-month-old baby boy died at a nursery in Bandar Saujana Putra, Selangor.
Kuala Langat District police chief Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said a report was received from a doctor at a clinic in Bandar Saujana Putra at 3.29pm on Friday (Jan 3), regarding an unconscious baby boy brought in by a nursery caretaker.
Meanwhile, in Batu Kawa, Kuching, an eight-month-old baby was found with bite marks on the back, and police arrested the nursery owner and two caretakers.
It is understood that both nurseries are unregistered and are currently in the process of applying for operating licences.
He noted that based on enforcement statistics from the Social Welfare Department and the Child Development Department, 97 actions had been taken nationwide in 2024, with 61 nurseries deregistrations, 22 fines, eight sealing actions, five temporary closures and one written directive.
In her speech, Nancy emphasised that the registration plaque initiative is meant to make it easier for the public to verify the legitimacy of nurseries and must be displayed in a visible location.
She also encouraged the public to conduct checks at www.jkm.gov.my, adding that the ministry had registered 3,198 nurseries to date. – Bernama
