KUALA LUMPUR: Seven children died at unregistered childcare centres between 2021 and 2024, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Woman, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said four cases occurred in 2024 and one each in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to Social Welfare Department statistics.
"All cases happened at unregistered childcare centres," she said in a written Parliamentary reply on Thursday (Feb 27).
Nancy said that the ministry takes continuous initiatives to reduce the risk of neglect, carelessness, and abuse towards children at childcare centres.
She added that the registration of childcare centres is subject to adherence to provisions in the relevant Acts, rules, and set conditions to ensure the best quality of services are offered.
"It also aims to reduce the risk of unwanted incidents happening there. Parents are advised to only send their children to registered childcare centres," she said, noting that the list can be accessed through the Social Welfare Department website.
Nancy noted that all registered childcare centres are required to display their registration plaque and that this became mandatory as of Jan 10.
"This also aids the ministry in tackling any possible abuse or neglect cases, which usually only happen at unregistered centres since they operate without adhering to the set standard operating procedures," she said.
Regarding the case of a four-month-old baby who reportedly died at an unlicensed childcare in Bandar Putra, Selangor earlier this year, Nancy said the Social Welfare Department has sealed the centre for operating without registration.
On Jan 3, a four-month-old baby boy was believed to have died at the nursery.
Kuala Langat District Police Chief Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said the police received a report from a doctor at a clinic in Bandar Saujana Putra at 3.29pm on Jan 3 regarding an unconscious infant who had been brought to the clinic by a daycare caregiver.
Nancy was responding to a question by Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) who asked about the number of children's deaths at nurseries since 2021 and the ministry’s view on the incident of the four-month-old baby who reportedly died at an unlicensed childcare earlier this year.
