KOTA KINABALU: Three rural care centre operators in Sabah have complained of visits by people claiming to be welfare officers, purportedly to enforce the Child Care Centre Act.
Sepanggar member of parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun raised the question of whether the coverage of the Act, enforced in Peninsular Malaysia since 2007, has been extended to Sabah.
“It is surprising that the Act had been ‘quietly’, if it has at all been extended here as there had been no such alert given to hostels or care centres in the state operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and church groups,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He said at least three rural care centres had complained to him of visits made by unidentified so-called ‘welfare officials’ to enforce the Act.
“These rural care centres were threatened by these ‘welfare officials’, saying that the centres’ operations were not up to the standard required by the law. The ‘enforcement officers’ did not show any document nor authority but ordered them (the operators of the centres) to close,” he said.
Majimbun added the officers rudely went to inspect, without bothering to show their identification to the volunteers who have been assisting poor rural kids for so many years.
“What is their real intention? Why only NGOs and church group care centres are checked? Why marginalise the inspection?” he asked.
The Act was amended and passed in Parliament in 2006, which among others require NGOs intending to open a home for the needy to seek approval from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the Fire and Rescue Services Department, and other relevant authorities.
Majimbun claimed that the Act did not cover government-run centres, although some were in poor condition.
“I will be bringing this matter up in the next sitting of Parliament which begins on March 9. I hope to get my answers there,” he said.