KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has taken action against 23 childcare centres (taska), including issuing temporary closure orders and sealing the premises for violating guidelines set by the authorities.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, said three of the actions involved cases of death reported at the premises, while 20 cases were related to complaints of abuse.
She added that these actions were taken in accordance with the "Special Enforcement Guidelines for Sealing and Closure Orders on Childcare Centres and Daycare Centres Under Police Investigation," which have been enforced since April 10 last year.
"As of September this year, a total of 23 enforcement actions were taken under these guidelines, including 14 sealing actions on unregistered childcare centres and nine temporary closure orders for registered centres," she said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a question from Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai), who requested statistics on abuse cases in childcare centres nationwide and asked about control measures to prevent further incidents.
Noraini said the special guidelines aimed to ensure immediate and firm action, especially in cases of abuse, neglect, or harm to children or residents at these premises.
She added that the ministry and the Social Welfare Department have implemented various initiatives to prevent and reduce the risk of undesired incidents at childcare centres, such as abuse, neglect, or negligence.
These initiatives include issuing child safety guidelines for registered childcare centres, effective Jan 1.
"Additionally, officers have been directed to conduct regular and surprise inspections to ensure compliance with the Act and regulations.
"We also carry out public awareness and advocacy programmes to encourage community members to act as eyes and ears, reporting any suspected violations of the established acts and regulations," she said.
She added that the ministry has also assisted over 3,000 childcare centres through one-stop centres to facilitate licensing and registration.