‘GOVT WON’T COMPROMISE ON CHILD ABUSE’
Take action against teacher who threw child on ground, urges Women, Family, Community Development Ministry
THE Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will get in touch with the Education Ministry over alleged child abuse that took place at a kindergarten in Shah Alam on Friday.
In a statement yesterday, it urged the authorities to take action against the individual responsible for the s uspected child abuse recorded in a viral video.
It said such action amounted to an offence under the Child Act 2001.
“The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry views the incident where a teacher allegedly abused a child, seriously. The government will not compromise with any party suspected of committing offences involving the health and welfare of children, and is committed to boost public awareness through the cooperation of various parties.”
The ministry also urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour towards children to the relevant agency or contact the Kasih hotline at 15999 or Whatsapp to 019 261 5999.
At a separate event reported by Bernama, its minister, Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the ministry viewed the matter seriously and would not compromise with anyone suspected of child abuse and committing offences under the Child Act 2001.
“The ministry calls on the authorities concerned to take action against any individual who is proven to have committed an offence against a child,” she said after presenting the Annual Operational Financial Assistance and the Establishment of a new Senior Citizen Activity Centre for the Central Zone here yesterday.
Police said they had taken the statement from the kindergarten teacher.
“Police have taken her statement today (yesterday) and she was released on police bail,” said Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Baharudin Mat Taib.
“We found out that she is a permanent teacher at the kindergarten and further action will be taken by Shah Alam district police Criminal Investigation Department.”
He said the woman was called to give her statement after police received a report on the incident from the child ’s mother.
The case is being investigated under Section 31 (1) Child Act 2001.
A video that went viral on Friday showed a woman handling a child in an aggressive manner, believed to have been taken at a kindergarten in Shah Alam.
In the 10-second clip, the suspect was seen throwing a child on the ground in front of a full classroom.
She could be heard shouting at the child before throwing him again, while the other children watched in stunned silence.
Another woman could be seen in the video, but she did nothing to prevent the teacher from throwing the child twice on the ground.
Malaysian Islamic Kindergarten Association expressed its disappointment over the incident and hoped action would be taken against the teacher.