KPWKM to investigate complaints of child exploitation

(Photo credits: MEDIA MULIA)

IPOH — The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) will investigate all complaints about parties that allegedly exploit children, its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said (image).

She assured that appropriate measures would be taken in accordance with the law if any party was found guilty.

“We have not received any complaints yet. If we do, we will take action in accordance with the relevant laws under the ministry,” she stated.

“Based on the applicable laws within the jurisdiction of KPWKM, insya-Allah, we will assess each case individually and take necessary measures,” she said after launching the state-level Child Protection Advocacy Programme: Kasih Kanak-Kanak, here, today.

Noraini said this in response to a recent case circulating on social media about a company that placed its members’ children in an orphanage.

Meanwhile, Noraini announced that KPWKM would collaborate with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to include the chairmen of the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) and the Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) as members of the Child Protection Team.

“We are still in discussions, but we have a Community Based Organisation (CBO) programme where we work directly with all the village chiefs and Penghulu.

“However, the child protection programme is still in the final stages of discussions regarding the involvement of JPKK and JPKKP,” she said.

According to Noraini, the Perak Social Welfare Department had registered 288 cases of children in need of protection as of May this year.

She also mentioned that this year, 383 permanent protection officers and moral officers, along with another 280 contract-based officers, have been appointed at the Welfare Department offices across the country. This includes 43 protection officers and moral officers in Perak alone.

“On behalf of the ministry, I call upon the community to act as the eyes and ears of the government. Our own children can help by developing a caring attitude and reporting those who need help to KPWKM.

Noraini added that last month, 98 schools with 33,250 participants were involved in the child protection programme. BERNAMA