LET’S KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE
IREAD the report, “Mum: It broke my heart to see her body” (NST, Feb 11), which raised concerns about the effectiveness of the National Urgent Response (Nur) Alert system.
Some young people have gone missing and are untraceable, causing pain and anguish to their families. If they are alive, what has become of them?
Siti Masitah Ibrahim, 11, was found dead 11 days after she had gone missing.
The cases of missing children from 2013 to 2016 stand at 7,589.
Statistics show an increase in the numbers of missing children below below 18.
The government must tackle this problem.
Can we blame children if their innocence incurs deadly consequences or they are exploited for sexual gratification or monetary reasons?
Parents, schools, religious organisations and non-governmental organisations can educate children to be vigilant when they encounter strangers who stop to ask for directions or offer them a lift home.
Schools can teach them how to defend themselves. Show them newspapers reports on missing children.
Children must get approval from parents before they can accept acts of kindness by strangers or known persons, especially in rural areas. Parents can teach their children to avoid dangerous situations.
I hope the police will review the Nur Alert process and procedures so that a missing person’s report can be disseminated quickly.
Together, we can make our communities safe.