CYBERJAYA – The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is planning to enforce laws regarding the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems at registered childcare centres to address child abuse issues.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that her ministry will hold discussions regarding the matter at the ministry level. She also intends to involve relevant agencies and departments in the future.
There are childcare centres that have not installed CCTV cameras due to a lack of enforcement under the existing laws. Instead, centre operators are only encouraged to install them, she said at a press conference after launching the ministry’s Community-Based Organisation (CBO) Empowerment programme today.
“Previously, when we proposed the idea, there were objections due to the expenses related to CCTV installation. We might assess whether the costs are excessive. This is a matter on which we will deliberate collectively,” she said, commenting on a widely circulated video clip depicting an alleged child abuse incident at a daycare centre in Sabah, recorded by a CCTV camera.
Nancy said installing CCTV cameras can rebuild parents’ trust in sending kids to care centres, given the cases of abuse that have occurred in the past.
“We should ensure the installation of CCTVs, and above all, daycare centre managers must comply with it,” she said.
Nancy, during a Dewan Rakyat sitting in March, said that requiring CCTV installation for registered daycare centres is one of three improvements proposed by the Social Welfare Department to improve the operation of childcare centres.
She pointed out that installing CCTV cameras in daycare centres enables a more thorough investigation of any unwanted incidents that may occur on the premises.
Nancy added that there were 3,767 reported cases of children requiring care and protection nationwide in the first half of this year.
Based on statistics released by the Social Welfare Department, it has handled a total of 402 cases of domestic violence nationwide during the same period, she added.
To curb the increase in such cases, she said that her ministry has established the CBO, which plays a vital role in fostering local community development by encouraging community participation and collaborative efforts among its members.
“Protecting vulnerable groups in the community, including children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and domestic violence victims, should be taken seriously.
“The task of protecting and ensuring the safety and well-being of these groups is a responsibility of the local community,” said Nancy, who, at the same event, launched the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s CBO @ Sepang directory, which serves as a reference to assist target groups and facilitate community-level actions. – August 11, 2023