Missing child alert system to be launched next month

2010/02/09

KUALA LUMPUR: The special response alert system, especially to aid in the search for missing children, is expected to be launched a month after the Chinese New Year. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil announced this after opening a seminar for high-ranking policewomen yesterday.

"Discussions are still going on between the ministry, police and others in the technical panel."

Shahrizat said the system would involve the police, related enforcement agencies and members of the public.

"Through the system, when a missing child report is lodged, the emergency response system is immediately activated and the victim's picture is sent to the media and put up at all public places, including exit points at toll plazas and border areas.

"We want everyone to be involved in the search for the missing child," she said.

The system was proposed after the abduction and brutal murder of 8-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin in August 2007.

Shahrizat said with proper planning the system could be effective.

"Often in missing person cases, the police are only notified two days later and by then the trail is cold. If you lodge a report within 24 hours, and the community is alerted, and everybody gets involved, we might just be able to find the person," she said.

IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the police already had a similar system in place.

"When we receive a missing person report, we will immediately inform all police headquarters and stations as well as those on duty at border areas. But this is done only at the police level and needs time to reach the public."

He said that with the integrated alert system, the flow of information could be speeded up with the involvement of other agencies and the public.