KUCHING: Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has called for legislative amendments, to enhance the current laws, such as the Child Act 2001, to strengthen child protection.
He said this should include aspects of child centre registration, accreditation, assessment, funding and monitoring, to ensure that all operators are operating legally with a sense of public service.
Secondly, he said, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) needs to audit all existing approved childcare centres and quickly close any childcare centres that are not registered with the department or operating illegally nationwide, starting with Johor immediately.
“Legal action should also be taken against the operators/owners of any illegally run establishments,” he said in a Facebook posting.
Tunku Ismail also suggested an immediate study to be done on the condition of child care centres starting in Johor commissioned together with guidelines from UNICEF and other independent institutions.
“The findings of this study should be made public. I will ensure that the suggested improvements are taken seriously and carried out immediately,” he said this after having an audience with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, Unicef Representative to Malaysia Amanda Bissex and chairman of Johor Woman, Family and Community Development Hajah Khairin-Nisa Ismail at the Royal Johor Polo Club, yesterday.
The Johor Crown Prince said he had suggested the three steps to prevent abuse cases, like the one involving 13-year-old Bella, a Down Syndrome teenager, in Wangsa Maju, from happening again.
He stressed that the welfare of children, especially those in shelter homes should always be protected and well taken care of.
He had also offered the services of his lawyers for free to hold a watching brief in the abuse trial involving 13-year-old Bella, a Down Syndrome teenager.
It was previously reported that Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali began disliking Bella after the girl pulled a curtain and dislodged it from the rod.
Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 18, a resident of Rumah Bonda, said Bella was abused by Siti Bainun on a daily basis for almost four months between March 2021 and June 24 last year.
Yasmin, the fifth prosecution witness, said she had been instructed by Siti Bainun to strip Bella naked before she was told to tie the girl with a rope. Hot water was later poured on her.
The witness also told the court that Bella was fed 20 “cili padi” several times a week by Siti Bainun.
Siti Bainun, 30, is charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teenager to the point that the victim suffered injuries, physically and emotionally. She pleaded not guilty.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju, between February and June 2021, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both, upon condition.
