KUALA LUMPUR: Non-governmental organisations are outraged that Pekan police did not activate the National Urgent Response (Nur) Alert system as soon as 11-year-old Siti Masitah Ibrahim was reported missing, just because she was an undocumented foreigner.
They said all children were protected by laws in the country, regardless of whether they were Malaysians or foreigners, adding that systems such as Nur Alert were there to protect these children and prevent them from being made victims of crime or murdered, such as in the case of Siti Masitah.
Dr Hartini Zainudin, founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, a 24-hour crisis centre that provides among others, help and support for stateless, abused, neglected, trafficked and abandoned children, said all children in Malaysia were protected under the Child Act.
“I find it outrageous that the Nur Alert system was not triggered because the little girl had no documents. First of all, 11-year-olds don’t carry documents on them. We know her name, we have a photo of her, her height, weight estimate and where she was last seen.
“She has a family, there was a report made. So why wasn’t the Nur Alert triggered? On the basis she wasn’t Malaysian? I’m outraged and so angry.”
Hartini, who has adopted children, said the process in this case was handled badly on so many levels.
“The police are the frontliners in emergency cases, such as missing children. Frontliners like the police or the Welfare Department or the hospitals should be trained in child rights sensitivity and common sense on child rights and protection. Protect and rescue the child first, that’s the priority.”
Hartini said her adopted daughter, who is currently stateless, will turn 11 next week.
“Are you telling me, if God forbid, someone decided to snatch her in a public space, when I’m not around, the Nur Alert wouldn’t be triggered?”
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) communications officer Tan Heang-Lee echoed Hartini’s opinion.
“Children who are undocumented face many barriers in accessing protection and justice. Unfortunately, they may not report crimes committed against them because they fear being arrested or deported.
“However, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia has an obligation to ensure that children are not discriminated (against) on the basis of nationality or ethnicity — and that the best interest of the child is upheld in the administration of laws.”
Tan, who is also an advocacy officer, explained that the authorities and the public should be educated on the fact that Malaysia’s Child Act applies to all children across Malaysia, without exception.
“Hence, the Malaysian government must ensure that children receive equal protection and access to justice, regardless of their nationality or legal status”
Meanwhile, Voice of the Children chairman Sharmila Sekaran said everyone who came in contact with Siti Masitah should have paid attention.
“It takes a village to raise a child. Parents of course are the first line of protection for children, but beyond that, teachers, caregivers, medical personnel and the general public who come into regular contact with any child should keep their eyes open as well.
“Neighbours and shopkeepers can also be aware and participate in ensuring a child is protected. Pekan is not that big a town. Surely someone would have seen Siti Masitah with an unknown person.”