SHAH ALAM, Jan 21 — A comprehensive investigation is underway into a care centre in Section 3 that allegedly confined an autistic child, including a scrutiny of its registration status and the premises' operations.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said they will also determine the actual location of the incident, whether it occurred at a kindergarten or a transit centre, as the premises were previously registered under the State Education Department (JPNS).
“We will check its registration. If the incident occurred at a kindergarten, JPNS will take action. If it falls under a transit centre, it is overseen by the Social Welfare Department (JKM), which can take firm action, including suspending operations.
“If it is found that there was child neglect and that it posed a danger, JKM has the authority to close or halt operations because the premises do not comply with child safety requirements. When it is deemed to endanger welfare and health, JKM, as the relevant authority, can take action to protect the child,” she told Media Selangor.
Anfaal added that this was not the first such incident, as her office had received similar reports last year and that she personally visited the affected child’s family at their home in Shah Alam.
“The centre claims to offer care services for disabled children. However, we now need to investigate whether the operator complied with operational requirements, including staff recruitment.
"Is there appropriate expertise, or have they been trained to manage children with special needs?” she said.
As a result, the councillor advised all private kindergarten operators in Selangor to comply with all stipulated requirements, including registering with the relevant agencies, and to employ skilled personnel capable of caring for disabled children.
“Parents also need to take note of this matter; they must check whether the childcare centre or kindergarten they have chosen is legally registered. Only then can we be confident in entrusting our children to others,” Anfaal said.
Yesterday, a video went viral on social media showing an autistic child being confined in the nude at the care centre, prompting widespread public condemnation.
