KUALA LUMPUR: There have been 34 cases of child abuse reported in childcare centres between 2020 and 2024, with four death cases last year alone, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that the alarming statistics prompted the urgent need for the safety and welfare of children in childcare centres nationwide.
She said that the ministry has implemented stringent measures including a new Safety Guidelines for Children in Registered Childcare Centres effective from January 1, 2024.
“These guidelines mandate the installation of CCTV systems in all childcare centres to monitor activities and ensure the safety of the children,” she said in a written Parliamentary answer on Tuesday (Feb 18).
She was responding to Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN-Temerloh) who had asked the ministry to state the total number of deaths and abuse in childcare centres within the period and steps taken to ensure the safety of the children.
Nancy said that the ministry had taken several initiatives under the guidelines which included regular inspections and spot checks by authorised officers to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
“This included the activation of community roles such as the Child Protection Team and Child Welfare Team to assist the Welfare Department in implementing various prevention, protection, and development programs at the community level,” she said.
She added that the ministry had also launched the Child Protection Advocacy Programme (Kasih Kanak-Kanak) which began in 2024, featuring interactive sessions on children's rights, safety, cyberbullying, and sexual harassment education conducted by various governmental bodies.
She said that as of Dec 31, the Kasih Kanak-Kanak programme has involved 337 selected schools nationwide, reaching 128,148 participants.
“A significant regulatory step was taken on April 10, 2023, with the enforcement of Special Guidelines for Enforcement Actions and Closure Orders on Childcare Centres Under Police Investigation.
“These guidelines ensure rigorous and prompt actions in cases of abuse, neglect, or harm to children or occupants within these premises,” she added.
Nancy also said that beginning Jan 10, all registered childcare centres must display a registration plaque with a QR code, allowing parents to easily access detailed information about the centre’s registration with the Welfare Department.
“This measure aims to assist parents in making informed decisions and to curb the incidents of abuse and neglect typically associated with unregistered and non-compliant centres.
“The ministry urges collective responsibility from all stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of children in childcare environments, emphasising the community's role in being vigilant and proactive in reporting and preventing child abuse and neglect,” said the minister.
