SHAH ALAM: Nine additional police reports have been lodged against a childcare centre currently under scrutiny for alleged child abuse, bringing the total number of reports to 17.
However, no arrests have been made so far, said Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Ramsay Embol.
Public outrage was sparked after a video circulated online showing a child, believed to be autistic, locked inside a storeroom crying.
Another video also went viral, allegedly showing children at a Puchong branch of the same childcare chain being instructed to crawl through a drain to evade inspection by officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The founder of the childcare centre and the branch owner have been called in to give statements.
“Investigations are underway to determine if the childcare centre has a licence to care for children with autism,” he said.
According to a Bernama report on Wednesday, JKM said the centre and several of its branches were not registered under the Child Care Centre Act 1984.
In a statement, JKM said investigations and inspections carried out by Selangor JKM at three branches found that the premises were operating under unsatisfactory conditions, were not conducive to childcare and failed to meet basic safety requirements.
“Based on these findings, Selangor JKM will take enforcement action and issue a notice to seal the premises,” it said.
According to JKM, the centres were offering childcare services across multiple categories, including nursery and kindergarten services, as well as rehabilitation or therapy programmes for children with disabilities.
As such, the investigation also involves the Selangor Education Department for further review and appropriate action, read the statement.
On allegations of child abuse, JKM said the matter has been reported to the police, while Selangor JKM will hold a meeting with the nursery operator to obtain further clarification on the issues raised.
Emphasising that the safety, protection and well-being of children remain its top priority, JKM reminded parents to ensure their children are placed only in registered childcare centres.
“Registered childcare centres are required to comply with the provisions of the Child Care Centre Act 1984, including minimum standards of safety, cleanliness, physical facilities and caregiver-to-child ratios,” it added.
JKM added that all registered childcare premises must display the official Childcare Centre Registration Plaque issued by the department at the front of their premises, and that a centre’s registration status can be verified through JKM’s official portal.
“JKM remains committed to continuous monitoring and inspection, and will take firm action against any party found to be in breach of the law,” the statement said.
