POVERTY, claims the mother of a disabled 15-year old, makes for child abuse. Discovered during a 2am raid against illegal immigrants in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, by the Immigration Department, the boy, a victim of cerebral palsy, was found captive and neglected in unhygienic conditions. Emaciated, dirty and barely dressed, the boy was at home alone. His mother’s excuse for the despicable condition the boy was subject to was her ignorance of the process for her to get help from the authorities for her disabled son, her hectic work schedule in an attempt to make ends meet, and a lack of funds, all leading to endless delays in finding out how to get help for her son. And, now that his existence is public knowledge, she is giving him up to the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
Unfortunately for us Malaysians, the mother sounds plausible. She works double shifts and can, therefore, be assumed to not be a layabout. Yet, despite her efforts, she is poor. Where, then, does the blame lie? How is it that this 15-year-old disabled boy escaped the notice of everyone, including neighbours? For, such “cruelty” cannot not provoke anger; such hardship cannot not evoke sympathy; and such human suffering cannot not arouse compassion. In a land of supposed plenty, of many sprawling homes barely lived in for want of a larger family, luxury cars, including Bentleys and Rolls- Royces cruising the roads, and a growing number of billionaires, enforced indignity has found a home. Or, is this huge wealth gap an aberration, a result of an oversight? Or, is the social safety net provided by the government simply inadequate?
Firstly, one wonders how badly this woman is paid. Assuming that she gets the minimum wage, working two shifts at a time, though not raking it in, she should have a reasonable living wage. Assuming, too, that her family is not overly large, ends can then be met. But, the evidence suggests otherwise. If indeed, as assumed here, the mother is exploited by her employer, it is up to the authorities to enforce the minimum wage law as a matter of course. Secondly, one wonders how callous is the culture of the community? Or, was the mother always not there to even socialise with her neighbours? Or, is this a neighbourhood of tired workers, at home only to rest their weary bones?
The boy looks to be a victim of circumstances and — not completely absolving the mother of blame — it is the system that has failed him. The country has a ministry to take care of children, the disabled and the economically disadvantaged. This boy falls under all three categories.
Is it not part of the responsibility of the relevant department of the ministry to be proactive in identifying such unfortunates? Surely working closely with the National Registration Department, the fate of every Malaysian child born can be tracked?