JOHOR BARU: Child protection laws should be enhanced immediately, says Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim (pic).

       He added it was one of the three important steps that should be done to ensure that cases like the abuse of Down Syndrome child, Bella, does not happen again during a meeting with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.

       The meeting, which was also attended by Unicef representative to Malaysia Amanda Bissex and state woman, family and community development Khairin Nisa Ismail, was held at Royal Johor Polo Club here on Tuesday (April 19).

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       “An enhancement on the current laws, such as the Child Act 2001, is needed immediately. This should include aspects of child centre registration, accreditation, assessment, funding and monitoring to ensure that all operators are operating legally with a sense of public service.

       “The Welfare Department (JKM) needs to audit all existing approved childcare centres and quickly close any childcare centres that are not registered with JKM or operating illegally, starting with Johor, immediately.

       “Legal action should also be taken against the operators or owners of any illegally run establishments,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page here.

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       Tunku Ismail added immediate study also needed to be done on the condition of childcare centres starting in Johor, commissioned together with guidelines from Unicef and other independent institutions.

       He said the findings of this study should be made public.

       “I will ensure that the suggested improvements are taken seriously and carried out immediately.

       “I would like to stress that the welfare of children, especially those in shelter homes should always be protected and well taken care of,” he added.