Other News
November 07, 2009 20:22 PM
Take Immediate Action On Crime Against Children - Shahrizat
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who is clearly disappointed and upset over the rise in the number of crimes committed against children, wants the Attorney-General's Chambers to take immediate action against the offenders.
She said such action was necessary to prevent crimes against children from becoming widespread.
"The ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, will not hesitate to ask Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to look into the matter and enforce the existing provisions under the Penal Code to charge the offenders in court," she said at a media conference after opening the National Level World Children's Day 2009 at the Children's Activity Centre, Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong, near here Saturday.
Shahrizat said the ministry was giving emphasis on issues pertaining to children this year following the rise in the number of abuse cases against them, which also involved parents.
"Various measures have been taken to demonstrate our commitment, including the approval given by the Cabinet to the National Child Policy and the National Child Protection Policy which were passed on July 29, 2009," she said.
The minister said the number of abuse cases had risen from 2,279 in 2007 to 2,780 in 2008, while abuse cases committed by parents or guardians rose from 992 in 2007 to 1,266 in 2008.
-- BERNAMA
We provide
(subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.
