Don’t go overboard when punishing children, parents told
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents should not resort to extreme measures to discipline their children, said Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said that although some children are hyperactive or naughty, extreme punishment is not the right approach.
“Such extreme acts are just not humane. I hope this won’t reflect badly on Malaysians as only a small fraction is like this.
“Not all parents react this way,” Rohani said after launching the Pink Wig-A-Thon 2017, a walk organised by the Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation at Perdana Botanical Garden to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise funds for its activities.
She was commenting on a report that a man allegedly chained his 10-year-old step- son to a gas cylinder in a house at Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan.
Rohani also proposed that parents convicted of child abuse be sent for counselling.
“This further strengthens my resolution to go to the ground and have talks to address the issue of child abuse.
“I am of the view that convicted parents should undergo parenting courses after serving their sentences,” she said.
According to reports, the 32-year-old stepfather, who is a soldier at Kem Batu 10, Jalan Gambang, and his wife have been remanded under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act.
Police, who were alerted by members of the public, had to break down the door of the house to rescue the boy who had fainted.
The boy said later that it was his fault for coming home late from a cybercafe and that his stepfather had never punished him that way before.