No reports of babyselling cases in the state

KUCHING: There have been no reports of baby- selling cases in the state, but the state Health Department is making sure security remains tight at all government hospitals.

Its director Dr Jamilah Hashim said since she took over the helm, she has not heard of any reports on baby-selling in Sarawak.

“There are no cases in any of our hospitals. However, we have to be very careful.

“That is why we have visiting hours. Security is beefed up during visiting hours. After visiting hours, we do not allow people to enter any wards, as that is the time when our personnel are busy with treatment of patients and so on.

“We have to be very serious about this matter. Baby- selling is a serious offence and civil servants must not be involved in it,” she told reporters here yesterday.

Dr Jamilah was asked to comment whether there have been any cases in Sarawak, following the baby- selling expose’ in Malaysia by international television station Al Jazeera recently.

In the documentary aired on Nov 24, Malaysia was described as a hub for the sale of babies.

It claimed that the syndicate was working together with traffickers, doctors and government officials in the thriving trade where babies were sold like commodities on various social media groups.

The prices of babies range from US$ 1,500 to US$ 2,500 depending on their race, gender and skin colour.

The documentary has stirred up many reactions, with the InspectorGeneral of Police and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry denying that Malaysia is a thriving hub for the illegal activity.