PUTRAJAYA: Stern action should be taken against the teacher for allegedly grooming and committing sexual misconduct against a 14-year-old student in Seremban, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister, who expressed shock at the incident involving a female teacher, said the matter should not be swept under the carpet.
“We are concerned about the incident and hope the Education Ministry, under which the teacher falls, will take stricter action.
“I hope the case is not set aside and the alleged offender kept in cold storage.
“They have to do something for the sake of the child involved because of the bad experience. It will ruin his future,” she said after launching a programme under the Convention on the Rights of the Child here yesterday.
On Wednesday, a teacher was charged in the Seremban Sessions Court with five counts of committing sexual assault against her 14-year-old male student since last year.
She pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On a related matter, Nancy said discussions are still ongoing between relevant ministries and agencies on the setting up of a public sex offenders registry.
She added that although such a registry involves issues of human rights and personal data, the ministry will press ahead with its establishment as it would assist in the vetting process of individuals.
Nancy said ongoing amendments to the Child Act will make such a registry more relevant to current challenges, especially in addressing evolving online safety risks involving children.
Currently, the ministry and the Social Welfare Department maintain a Child Sexual Offenders Registration System via the e-DKK Register, which is accessible to authorities, schools, and institutions working with children to screen potential hires.
On a separate matter, the minister urged those living near suspected illegal daycare and childcare centres to report them to the authorities.
She said concerted, whole-of-community efforts were more effective in addressing cases of infant deaths at unregistered centres compared to authorities acting alone.
She added that while the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia carries out spot checks on centres to ensure they are registered, oversights can occur when authorities are unaware of unregistered centres operating.
