KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 – Based on the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM’s) enforcement records, there were eight cases of child deaths at child care centres (TASKA) between 2020 to 2024, including deaths due to neglect and negligence.
Half of the cases (four) occurred last year, while there was one case per year in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Meanwhile, 34 cases of child abuse were recorded from 2020 to 2024. The breakdown of cases according to year is two cases in 2020, seven cases in 2021, five cases in 2022, 14 cases in 2023 and six cases in 2024.
These figures were provided by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) in yesterday’s written parliamentary reply in response to Temerloh MP Salamiah Mohd Nor’s query about the number of deaths and child abuse cases in child care centres from 2020 to 2024.
She also wanted to know what actions the ministry was taking to ensure the safety of children in the centres.
In response, KPWKM said it has implemented various initiatives to ensure the safety of children in child care centres.
This included issuing child safety guidelines for registered child care centres, effective from 1 January 2024.
The ministry has also directed authorised officers to carry out periodic and surprise inspections at child care centres more regularly to ensure that all the minimum standards set by the Child Care Centre Act 1984 (Act 308) are complied with.
Additionally, KPWKM launched the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak, which commenced in 2024.
“The initiatives under this programme include interactive lectures on children’s rights by JKM, child safety by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), cyberbullying by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and anti-sexual harassment by the Women’s Development Department (JPW).
“As of December 31, 2024, 337 selected schools from throughout the country have been involved in this programme involving 128,148 participants,” according to KPWKM.
The Talian Kasih 15999 hotline is also available at any time to receive reports of abuse.
Additionally, as of January 10, 2025, all registered child care centres are required to display a registration plaque to help parents decide on a suitable centre for their children.
“The plaque will also assist KPWKM in its efforts to prevent cases of abuse and neglect, which usually happen in unregistered child care centres as they operate without adhering to prescribed SOPs,” stated the ministry.
“The plaque has a QR Code that can be scanned to get detailed information pertaining to the centres’ registration with JKM.”
