Mother demands action over alleged abuse at KK daycare centre

Borneo Post

2 days ago

Kevin (left) and MTPN Sabah Complaints Bureau officer Michelle Liew Pei Yee (right) with the victim's mother (center) showing the CCTV screenshot of the daycare centre.
KOTA KINABALU (June 12): A mother is demanding accountability from a daycare centre for alleged negligence that resulted in her one-year-old daughter suffering trauma and physical injuries.
The 30-year-old mother claimed the incident occurred on January 10 this year, between 12.30pm and 5.30pm, while her daughter was under the centre's care. She discovered bruises and a scar on her daughter's back and arm while preparing to bathe her.
'There was a large scar and bruises on her back. I asked my daughter what happened and who did this to her, but she only cried and could not tell me anything,' she said during a press conference at the National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) Sabah office today.
She lodged a police report the next day at the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters and sought medical attention for her daughter at a hospital.
Seeking clarification, the mother visited the daycare centre and asked to review the CCTV footage from the day of the incident.
'In the footage, I saw a caretaker grasp my daughter's left hand, lift her off the floor, and place her on a mattress. The same caretaker shoved a milk bottle into her mouth,' she recounted.
Despite the footage, the daycare management denied any wrongdoing, placing blame solely on the individual caretaker and refusing to take further responsibility.
The mother added that additional footage showed the caretaker hitting her daughter's hand with a mobile phone. However, the area where the most severe injuries occurred was not captured by the CCTV.
'To this day, the centre has not taken any action. They claim there is no clear evidence to justify any disciplinary measures,' she said. 'It seems everyone has given up on helping me. I'm left without answers or cooperation from any involved party.'
MTPN Sabah president Kevin Lo Kian Min stated that the council has requested the daycare centre provide a full explanation within three days. Failure to comply will result in a direct meeting for further action.
'We've also requested that the centre present its operational permit and license, as there are claims it may be operating without valid documentation. Concerns were also raised about the centre accepting children outside the permitted age range and those with special needs, potentially violating Social Welfare Department regulations,' he said.
Kevin urged authorities to inspect all daycare centres to ensure compliance with legal and safety standards, and emphasized the importance of trained staff and valid licensing.
'We must guarantee the safety of children and uphold consumer rights to increase public awareness and trust,' he added.