By Dr Aliyyah Mohammad Khuzaini

Recent troubling incidents, such as the arrest of a school bus driver filming students inappropriately, the sudden death at an unregistered childcare facility, and the shocking raid on welfare homes where vulnerable children were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, have left us all in shock.

As a healthcare professional working with children, it is deeply saddening to read the news, but at the same time, I know far too well that these cases are only the tip of the iceberg.

These heart-wrenching cases highlight the urgent need to re-examine the safety mechanisms in place for children under institutional care.

Children most precious asset

Our children are our most precious asset, and we must take decisive steps to ensure that their welfare is protected at all times.

I would like to strongly advocate for the introduction of mandatory criminal background checks and psychological evaluations for anyone wishing to work with children in any capacity—be it in schools, childcare centers, orphanages, or transportation services.

These checks must be thorough, ensuring that individuals with questionable or dangerous backgrounds are barred from positions of trust and authority over children.

Furthermore, we must invest in the robust enforcement of a national registration system for all childcare facilities and any institutions where children will be taken care of. This should be non-negotiable. The fact that unregistered facilities still operate, often without scrutiny, is deeply concerning. Children deserve the security of being in licensed, monitored environments where their safety is a priority.

Policies in place must be strengthen

It is important to note that there are already several policies in place which must be supported and strengthened.

For instance, the Child Act 2001 is instrumental in providing a legal framework for the protection and care of children. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 has also been a significant step forward in addressing crimes of sexual exploitation.

Both these laws have paved the way for more accountability and should continue to be upheld.

The Child Care Centre Act 1984 and its subsequent amendments set out requirements for registration and inspection of childcare centers, but we must ensure strict enforcement and regular inspections to maintain their efficacy.

Enforcement must be more than paper exercise

Moreover, enforcement must be more than a paper exercise—it needs to be consistent, transparent, and stringent.

Random inspections, continuous monitoring, and immediate punitive action against any facility found to be non-compliant should be implemented.

Alongside these measures, government support in educating parents and caregivers about choosing only registered and certified facilities is critical to ensuring these efforts' success.

Ultimately, it is our collective responsibility as a society to protect our children from harm. Let us not wait for more tragedies to occur before acting. These preventative measures will not only safeguard the physical well-being of our children but also ensure their emotional and psychological health as they grow in environments where they feel safe and valued.

I call upon the government, civil society, and the media to unite in making these protections for our children a top priority. The safety of the next generation should never be compromised. These are all our children, and our future.

-- BERNAMA

Dr Aliyyah Mohammad Khuzaini is a Medical Lecturer and Paediatrician, Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.