DPM BEMOANS SEX ASSAULTS ON KIDS
It’s becoming crazy, widespread, says Wan Azizah
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is saddened by cases of sexual assault against special children.
She said it was becoming a trend with such cases reported almost daily.
“It is becoming crazy and widespread.
“We have this problem in the country every day. Why are these sexual predators acting like this? Is it a disease?
“We must take care of them (special children). If we see something unusual and we see the children acting differently, we have to warn their caretakers,” she said at the “Love Special Children” programme here yesterday.
Present were Petaling Jaya member of parliament Maria Chin Abdullah, Selangor executive councillor Izham Hashim and Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Seri Setia by-election Halimey Abu Bakar.
She said it was the responsibility of the government to help those in need.
Although it was not wrong to give money to help them, she said there were better ways, like giving them something that could change their life for the better.
“Just like the proverb, give a person a fish and you feed the person a day, but teach a person to fish, and you feed the person for a lifetime.
“The government will strive to restore the country’s economy, but efforts will be made to help the needy.”
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, advised those with special children to register them with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) for a special card for people with disabilities.
“Cardholders are entitled to benefits, such as monthly allowances, discounted public transport fares and 100 per cent exemption on excise duty for wheelchairs and other types of vehicles for persons with physical disabilities.”
She said JKM offered community-based rehabilitation centres for them to acquire skills.
“They serve as one-stop centres for the disabled.”
At the event, Dr Wan Azizah feted cerebral palsy patient Nur Wadihan Wira Sudepja, 10, who made it to the Malaysia Book of Records as the first wheelchairbound person to take part in the Kerian Incredible Duathlon 2018.