SEMATAN: Childcare centres nationwide have been urged to install closed-circuit television (CCTVs) systems in their premises.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasised the need for CCTVs, saying it is for the safety of children in the centres and as an assurance to parents.
However, she revealed that despite the ministry urging such installation in these premises, there are many who refuse to comply.
She said this during the press conference after closing the Sematan Festival 2023 at Dataran Sematan here on Sunday (Aug 13).
Therefore, she stated that she will continue to discuss this matter (the installation of CCTVs) at her ministry level to organise the rules and conditions for these premises to comply.
“Installing CCTVs is an obligation for all the centres. When setting up childcare centres, they are given a registration validity period of five years.
“As the renewal is necessary every five years, we will firstly check the premises for CCTVs before we approve the renewal. If they fail to install it, we will take action on them,” she said.
Nancy said in the event cases are reported in a childcare centre, the said premises will however not be closed down immediately.
“This is because if we were to close it down, other children would be affected as well. Therefore, shutting it down really depends on the case itself.
“We do not want to burden other working parents, hence, we will discuss more on the matter and make a policy as we have to think of the overall effect on those involved,” she said.
