KENINGAU: Keningau Umno division leaders do not agree with categorising caning of children as a crime, arguing that it is in a way needed to discipline children.
Keningau Umno division chief, Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, said he disagrees if caning a child is categorised as a criminal offence.
“We need to understand the difference between teaching children to behave well and abusing the children future,” he told reporters after opening the computerized voting for public infrastructure and basic infrastructure projects at the community hall here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on a statement by the Minister of Family Women and Community Development, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, to make caning a child a criminal offence, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament before July.
Sairin, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said caning can be carried out subtly and lovingly. Parents, he said, want to shape the child to be kind and respectful.
“Do not cane excessively until it becomes physical abuse,” he said.
Sairin suggested that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development review the proposed new Act before it is brought to Parliament in July.
He said the ministry, especially its Minister, Rohani, should seek the views of all parties before the new Act is passed to avoid any disputes that will not benefit the government and the people.
Keningau Wanita Umno chief, Hajjah Amelia Ajun, when contacted yesterday also disagreed with the statement by the minister concerned.
“Caning a child is not a crime, caning is a form of lesson and not all offences committed by the child deserves caning, except for offences that can be harmful and damaging to the children’s moral,” she said.
Amelia, a mother and Keningau Parliamentary Community, Women and Families Development Council chairperson, said parents are aware of the limits to caning and they do not cane to the extent until the child becomes unconscious.
She said if a child commits a grave mistake, parents may cane the child on the palm as a warning so that the child does not repeat the same mistake.
“For me, caning a child is not a crime but a way of instilling the morals and values to the child so that when he grows up he will be a blessing to the parents, religion and country,” she said.
Keningau Puteri Umno chief, Hajjah Salbiah Suhaidi, also do not agree that caning children is a criminal offence.
“If the caning is not extreme, including hurting the child, it is a way that we teach our children to behave well and not repeat his mistakes. It is just a reprimand or form of discipline for our children,” she said.
Salbiah said, however, that there are parents who use a cane to hit their children without reason to vent their anger. In this case, it can be considered as child abuse and categorised as a criminal offence.
For Keningau Umno division committee member, Yazid Mohd Hasnan Tawik, categorizing caning as a criminal offence is contrary to the concept of a loving family life.
He said caning is one way to discipline a child. Even at the school level, caning is a way to inculcate the culture of discipline and instruction to children.
Yazid, a former Excellent Principal of SK Pasir Putih here, said caning in schools should only be done by principals and headmasters and when caning is carried out on children in school, the child will become aware and will change for the better.
“He will not make that mistake again. This means that caning can also transform one’s child to become more disciplined and not repeat the mistake again,” he said.