Parents who take children to rallies face prosecution

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — Parents who take their children along to the gathering organised by the opposition tomorrow can be prosecuted under the Child Act 2001.

The Director-General of the Social Welfare Department, Datuk Noraini Mohd Hashim, said in a statement here today that parents or guardians were advised against involving children under their care in any activity that could be harmful such as participating in an illegal rally.

She said that anyone bringing their children to such rallies could be charged under Subsection 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, which carried a fine of not more than RM20,000 or imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both upon conviction.

In this context, she hoped that parents or guardians would protect and not endanger the lives and security of their children. — Bernama