We have to act against child neglect

I REFER to “Little girl alone on a train” ( The Star, March 17). Kids shouldn’t travel alone. Wasn’t there anyone who could have accompanied this girl back home?

We all know that danger lies everywhere. When something happens we cry and cry, or blame others.

Maybe we think bad things only happen to other kids and not to ours. No, we are all wrong here, for it can happen to anyone, anytime, more so when you least expect. So, like a scout, be “always prepared”.

And this little kid moving about alone here truly worries me as a Childern’s Court Advisor. This is sheer carelessness. It is not acceptable. And such cases are on the rise. We cannot allow it.

People should know that kids have rights. The UN Convention on Children – Malaysia is a signatory to it – provides for this. And we also have the Child Act 2001.

I note on April 28 last year a couple was jailed for child abuse/ neglect. Yes, we must act against child neglect.

As per the Child Act 2001, anyone can be charged for neglect/abuse, and can be fined up to RM5,000 as per Section 33 of the Act. And jailed, too.

So parents take note. Care for your kids. Do not abdicate this parental duty. And things are getting worse as far as child safety and welfare are concerned.

At Parliament recently, we were informed that a total of 10,758 child abuse cases were recorded in Selangor/kuala Lumpur in the last five years. We must contain this problem.

And Children’s Courts should come down hard on the guilty in cases of children abused, not supervised, neglected or harmed in any way. There is no other way. We must act as we should.

BULBIR SINGH, Seremban.