Home rapped over ‘caged’ disabled kids

KUALA LUMPUR: Caging residents in welfare homes is not a standard operating procedure (SOP), said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

She was commenting on a children’s welfare home in Batu Gajah, and said children should not be put in enclosures under any circumstances.

“We are very serious about this. Although they are disabled, mentally unstable or violent, this is not our SOP. This is a private care centre but it must follow the ministry’s SOP.

“There must be counselling and special treatment, you cannot cage them up,” she said at the Parliament lobby.

Rohani said if a welfare home or centre is unable to handle the children, it should seek assistance from the nearest Community Rehabilitation Centre.

“We have child psychologists, and if there are violent, mentally challenged or critical cases, the rehabilitation centres can groom them. I understand they can be violent. But there is no reason to cage them. We (should) give them more special care,” she said.

Her deputy, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who visited the home, said they have asked psychiatrists and doctors to examine the children.

Perak health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who was present, said he would be bringing in the experts. – by Karen Arukesamy and P. Chandra Sagaran