Child safety laws need to be revised, says DPM

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 21 Jul 2018 3:13PM · 1 Comments

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says her ministry has discussed the need for revisions to child safety law with the AGC. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, July 21, 2018.

EXISTING laws on child safety are due for a revision, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

She said this in response to the death of a 10-month-old baby boy whose cause of death is believed to be due to a fall at his baby-sitter’s house.

The baby died after being treated for four days at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar. 

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, said the ministry had discussed the need for revisions with the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“We need to strengthen the existing law and policies. We have discussed this with the Attorney-General Chambers.

“There are laws which have loopholes and need to be looked into,” she told reporters at a Hari Raya open house she hosted in Pandan Indah today.

Wan Azizah said that she was sadden by the case.

“We have to look and see how we can prevent cases like this from happening.”

The boy was looked after by a 35-year-old female baby sitter in Tangkak. He was hospitalised after a seizure.

Early checks found that there were old and new bruises on the baby’s left forehead, haemorrhage in the eye and a fractured skull.

On Thursday, police arrested the baby sitter to assist in investigations under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001.

The nation was also shocked recently by the discovery of a five-month-old baby boy who was found dead inside a refrigerator at his babysitter’s house in Batu Caves.

Police said the baby was found wrapped in a napkin and placed inside a green zipper bag.

The 33-year-old babysitter and her 36-year old housemate have been arrested to facilitate investigations. – July 21, 2018.

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Comments

  • Child safety should also include motorcycles, cars and buses. No child should be a pillon rider, Get a side car. In cars, never hold a child on your lap and no child under 12 should ride in front. All children must be belted in either in a child seat or on a booster seat. In buses, there should be seat belts for all passengers. Parents must be held responsible for their childrens safety. All babysitters have to trained, licensed and subject to spot checks. In the meantime, parents should FaceTime with their children during the day. Make sure your babysitter can do this before placing your child in their care. I hope places of work will start providing proper child care quickly.

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply