JOHOR BARU: The Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, has called upon the authorities to step up and boost the child protection system.
"What are the weaknesses in the authorities' child protection system?
"There might be various factors, but here is the role that the authorities need to play to improve this situation.
"Perhaps many people are not aware of the channels they should use in cases that involve children," her majesty said in reference to a 4-year-old who died from abuse in Batu Pahat here, last week.
She said this during an audience with state officers and representatives from non-governmental organisations here today.
Present was the Consort of Tengku Mahkota Johor, Che' Puan Besar Khaleeda Bustamam, state police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat, state Social Welfare Department head Mohamad Hapil, state Health director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu as well as Johor Women's League president Thanam Visvanathan-Suresh.
The Johor permaisuri added that there were also doubts about the effectiveness of the reports made to the authorities, especially in ensuring the victims are protected.
Her majesty pointed out cases involving Nurul Huda Abdul Ghani in 2004 and Nurul Nadirah Abdullah (Dirang) in 2012.
Nurul Huda, 10 was raped and murdered en route from a shop where she had gone to run an errand near her home in Kampung Pekajang, Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah, while Dirang's charred remains were recovered from a pit in a plantation near the flats where she lived with her parents in Bandar Seri Alam.
"The Child Act needs to be strengthened, with legal provisions so that more proactive and aggressive actions can be taken. One of the things that must be paid attention to is the role of the Social Welfare Department, which needs to be updated to provide more effective services."
Her majesty proposed that a special government department be established to deal with children's issues, including abuse and bullying." - NST
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