PEKAN: The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will monitor childcare centres operated by companies and individuals to prevent deaths from abuse by their caretakers or family members in the future.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said that the police viewed the recent abuse cases seriously, with the latest being the death of 11-month-old Nur Muarzara Ulfa Muhammad Zainal in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor.
He said the police would work with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and other government agencies to monitor all childcare centres whether they are registered or not.
"We can help by providing information on whether the caregivers or his family members have previously been involved with crimes or drug abuse cases.
"In the past, we have taken the offenders to the court, but our next steps are more on precautionary measures," he told the media after officiating the closing of the 30th Malaysian Auxiliary Police Association annual conference here today.
Also present were Bukit Aman Community Crime and Security Prevention Department director Datuk Seri Rosli Ab Rahman, Pahang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri and Malaysian Aid Police Association president Datuk Aishah Mohammad.
Nur Muazara Ulfa or Zara passed away on Friday, two days after being placed in critical condition at Serdang Hospital, Selangor.
Zara, who was born on December 10, 2017, was believed to have been physically and sexually abused by her caretaker’s husband.
The post-mortem reported that the victim's death was due to injury from a blunt object in the head.
The 36-year-old suspect was tested positive for methaphetamine. He and his 28-year-old wife have been remanded to assist in the investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Noor Rashid urged parents to be more selective in picking the caretakers for their children, with strict background checks being part of the process.
"Sometimes they do not know who actually look after their children and if their caretakers have family members with a criminal background living with them.
"We have to make an effort to know who look after our children, as there have been many cases where parents had no idea who their children’s caretakers were,” he said.