KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor yesterday urged all parties including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work together in overcoming social problems, especially baby dumping.
The prime minister’s wife said there were more and more children born out of wedlock and most of the mothers were not willing to take care of their child.
“I hope we will find ways and means to reduce baby dumping, a cruel act which is not only abhored by us who care for children, but also by God,” she said in her speech during her visit to Gurpuri Foundation, a foster home for Sikh children, in conjunction with the Vaisakhi celebration, here, yesterday. Also present was the home’s principal, Sukhdaiv Singh.
Rosmah who is the president of the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), said it would be better if the unwanted babies were sent to shelter homes so that they would have a better future. According to police statistics, 517 baby dumping cases were recorded in the country from 2005 to January this year.
Rosmah commended the Gurpuri Foundation for taking serious steps to help underprivileged, orphaned and neglected Sikh children.
She was also happy with Gurpuri’s move to further expand its operation by opening up another home in Bentong, Pahang.
At yesterday’s event, Bakti donated RM20,000 and 70 hampers to the foundation which also provides the children with education and extra activities.
The foundation was established in 2000 and is currently taking care of about 60 children aged between four and 22. — Bernama