14/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

5

Call to improve safety system in childcare centres

Cops investigate possible SOP breach after prisoner escapes SHAH ALAM: Police have opened an investigation into the escape of a Pakistani remand detainee from the Sungai Buloh Prison near here last week to determine whether there was any breach of SOPs. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the case is being investigated under sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code, with authorities examining whether there was any negligence or weaknesses before any action is taken. “We have called in personnel to have their statements recorded, as well as several other individuals, including those from the Prisons Department. Statements have also been taken from detainees who witnessed the incident. “No arrests have been made, although some individuals have been relieved of their active duties,” he said at a press conference on the achievements of the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department and the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department here yesterday. Shazeli said police believe the suspect, Muhammad Hassan, 24, is still in the Sungai Buloh area and efforts to locate him, now entering the fifth day, have been intensified with the involvement of other agencies. “We believe the detainee has yet to establish communication with his friends. Based on police action, we believe efforts to prevent such communication have been successful.” On April 11, police announced that checks at all the country’s entry points have been tightened to prevent Muhammad from fleeing abroad. He escaped from police custody at the Sungai Buloh Prison parade ground at 6pm after attending court proceedings at the Shah Alam Court. Muhammad, who is facing charges related to sexual offences involving a child as well as immigration offences, was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt and long black pants. Those with information have been urged to contact investigating officer Insp Muhendran Chandra at 010-430 4383 or the Search and Capture Operations Room hotline at 03-6140 1096. – Bernama Officers under probe relieved of active duty SHAH ALAM: Twelve police personnel suspected of involvement in the robbery of cryptocurrency belonging to foreign nationals have been relieved of active duty, said Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar. He said they remain in service but have been reassigned to non-operational roles, including administrative tasks, pending the outcome of investigations. Shazeli said the department is awaiting technical reports from relevant agencies before proceeding to the next stage of the investigation. “Technical reports are still required as the case involves cryptocurrency transactions. We are waiting for feedback from agencies with the necessary technical expertise. “While the process is nearing completion, it is not yet finalised. We are unable to refer the matter to the State Prosecution Office until these technical reports are secured.” Earlier, media reports indicated that 12 police personnel, including four officers from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department, were detained for suspected involvement in a gang robbery involving losses of RM200,000 in cryptocurrency from a group of Chinese nationals. Those detained comprise an assistant superintendent, an inspector, a sergeant, six corporals, two lance corporals and a constable, all aged between 24 and 47. – Bernama

driven by fear of blame. “The laws are strong in principle, but the challenge lies in standardisation, monitoring and enforcement across all centres.” To address these gaps, Norsheila called for more practical, scenario-based training for caregivers, particularly in handling high-stress situations. This includes training in responsive caregiving techniques, emotional regulation and simulation drills to prepare staff for situations such as managing inconsolable infants, supervising multiple children safely and responding to emergencies. She also recommended implementing team-based supervision systems, such as buddy arrangements during peak hours and clear escalation protocols when additional support is needed. She said Malaysia has a solid legal foundation, supported by the Child Care Centre Act 1984 and the Child Act 2001, but greater emphasis must be placed on enforcement and professionalisation within the sector. “Malaysia does not lack laws. What we need now is consistent enforcement, professionalised caregivers, and a culture of accountability, because every child deserves safe, dignified care.” The renewed scrutiny follows a case at the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court, where a 22-year-old childcare worker has been charged with the murder of a four-month-old boy at a childcare facility in Seberang Jaya earlier this month. No plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. The accused was denied bail and the court has fixed June 23 for mention pending the submission of chemistry and post-mortem reports.

o Expert suggests rigorous pre-employment screening processes and probation period for newly hired staff

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

including regular performance reviews, structured incident reporting systems, as well as peer and supervisor observations. “These are not optional measures. They are essential to creating a safe environment for children,” she said, noting that such practices are in line with the Child Care Centre Act 1984 and the Child Act 2001. On daily operations, Norsheila said accountability must be embedded into routine practices, with clear SOPs governing activities such as feeding, sleeping, diapering and transitions. Strict compliance with child-to-caregiver ratios is critical to ensuring adequate supervision at all times, she added. She highlighted the role of CCTV in enhancing transparency and monitoring, but stressed that it must be used ethically. “While useful for oversight and investigations, any parent access must include safeguards to protect children’s privacy. “Our priority must be safe, professional care without compromising children’s dignity.” She added that daily communication with parents through digital apps or logbooks should be standard practice to ensure transparency and build trust. Norsheila said despite existing frameworks, gaps remain due to inconsistent enforcement rather than a lack of laws. Common issues include non-compliance with staffing ratios, under-trained caregivers, weak supervision and limited professional development, as well as poor incident reporting

PETALING JAYA: The recent death of an infant at a childcare centre has intensified scrutiny on Malaysia’s childcare regulations, with experts calling for stronger enforcement and a more professionalised system to safeguard young children. Malaysia Association of Registered Early Childcare and Development president Norsheila Abdullah said while Malaysia has established laws to protect children, inconsistent implementation and gaps in professional standards continue to pose risks. She said ensuring child safety must go beyond basic certification, calling for a comprehensive, multi-layered safeguarding system across all childcare centres. This includes rigorous pre-employment screening processes, such as background checks, reference verification and behavioural interviews focused on child safety values. “Staff at these centres must also undergo health and psychological assessments to ensure they are emotionally fit to care for children, followed by mandatory induction programmes aligned with child protection principles,” she noted. She also said newly hired staff should undergo a probation period with close supervision and documented observation logs before being confirmed in their roles. Beyond recruitment, she emphasised the importance of continuous monitoring, The remand order was issued by magistrate Wan Mohd I’zzat Wan Abdullah at the Magistrate’s Court here to facilitate investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The woman arrived at the Kota Bharu Court Complex at 8.40am yesterday in a police truck. In the 1.50pm incident, Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin, 13, was pronounced dead at the scene after she was struck by a vehicle driven by the teacher. Kota Bharu police chief ACP Mohd Azmir Damiri said initial investigations found that the driver is believed to have mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal before losing control and hitting the victim. “Preliminary investigations revealed that she had mistakenly stepped on the accelerator and crashed into two schoolgirls believed to have been putting on their shoes in front of the surau . “One girl died at the scene of the crash due to severe injuries to her head while the other girl is being treated for severe injuries to her body at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital’s Red Zone.” The body of the dead schoolgirl has been sent to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Krian Specialist Hospital forensics unit for autopsy, he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. He urged eyewitnesses of the crash to come forward and assist investigations by contacting traffic investigating officer Insp

Teacher remanded over fatal crash involving student KOTA BHARU: A 57-year-old female teacher has been remanded for two days from yesterday to assist in investigations into a crash that claimed the life of a student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tanjong Mas here.

The teacher arriving at the Kota Bharu Court Complex at 8.40am yesterday in a police truck. – BERNAMAPIC

the hospital’s forensics unit on Sunday. Nur Fatimatul Hawa’s father Mohd Azaudin Abdullah, 43, said he was at work in Kampung Chepa when Zuraifah contacted him and asked him to go to his daughter’s school immediately. “I did not know what was going on until I arrived at the school. As soon as I got there, I immediately went to the surau and was shocked to find my daughter lying there, dead.” Zuraifah also shared that she had been taking care of Nur Fatimatul Hawa and her three siblings ever since their mother Siti Maheran passed away more than five years ago. – Bernama

Muhammad Syarafuddin Ramlee at 09-775 2315 or the Kota Bharu district police headquarters Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division. Bernama reported that the victim’s aunt Zuraifah Noor had arrived outside the school compound to pick up Nur Fatimatul Hawa and her older brother Mohd Ali Mustaqim, 15, according to their daily routine but was concerned when she did not see them there. “Suddenly, Mohd Ali Mustaqim showed up and told me that his sister was gone. I was shocked and could not understand what had happened and rushed to the surau ,” she said at