Childcare centre ordered to shut down after infant's death
Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan, when contacted, said the centre was instructed to halt operations until the investigation is completed.
'For now, due to the fatality, the daycare centre has been ordered to stop operations pending the outcome of the investigation,' he said.
Wangsa Maju Deputy police chief Supt Syahrul Anuar Abdul Wahab said no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
'Several witnesses have provided statements to assist in the investigation, including the centre owner, caregivers, the baby's parents, and JKM officers.
'The investigation is being conducted by the Sexual, Women and Children Investigation Division (D11) of the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters, covering all aspects, including possible negligence,' he said during a press conference at the Wangsa Maju District Police Headquarters today.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that the death of the seven-month-old baby boy was confirmed to be due to milk aspiration. The case is being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
40 minutes ago
- The Star
Government to consider rehabilitative methods in bullying cases involving minor perpetrators, says Azalina
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in discussion on whether management of bullying cases in educational institutions should cater more to rehabilitative methods than being punitive, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The Law and Institutional Reform Minister said this is due to the age of the perpetrators, who are usually minors and are still in the education system. 'There are concerns that when the perpetrators and victims are children (minors), the Child Act 2001 still applies. 'We have to look into another process, whether we need a tribunal system or a different set of laws, which is more for rehabilitation than for punishment purposes,' she told a press conference after launching the Asean Law Forum 2025 titled 'Enhancing Access to Justice in the Asean Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age' here on Tuesday (Aug 19). Azalina was asked if there are enough provisions in the laws to handle alleged bullying cases in schools such as the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, who fell to her death in Sabah. The minister said that Malaysia needs to consider models from other countries that approach bullying in educational institutions differently. 'It is always better for prevention than cure. In the Malaysian Penal Code, it is a general law as we tie up bullying with sexual harassment and all that. 'Maybe for schoolchildren and students, we should use a tribunal system such as the one we use for sexual harassment," she said. 'We can then look into a punishment which is more rehabilitative than punitive as the latter should always be the last measure. "We will have to study the possibility of a tribunal before it is directly regarded as a criminal offence under the Penal Code (for schoolchildren and students who are minors),' she added. Azalina also said that currently, there is no specific definition of "bullying' in the laws. 'We will usually look at the act of bullying together with other elements such as sexual harassment, leading to deaths and in industrial court cases. 'There are so many sections in the laws in which bullying is mentioned. "I am relieved that we have amended the laws to include bullying in Sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code. 'We are fortunate to allow a child commissioner in Sabah and Sarawak and that is quite timely. 'The point here is the Education Ministry has its own guidelines on anti-bullying,' she said. Five teens are expected to be charged in the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court soon for allegedly bullying Zara. She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I on July 17.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sabah Law Society urges public to respect court safeguards in Zara Qairina case
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) has reminded the public and media to respect legal safeguards in the upcoming Children's Court proceedings involving five juveniles charged in connection with the bullying of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. Its president Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin said Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 strictly prohibits the publication or circulation of any details that may lead to the identification of children involved in such proceedings. "This includes names, photographs, addresses, schools, or any other particulars that could reveal their identity. "A breach of this law may result in serious penalties," he said in a statement today. Featured Videos Nazim said that while mainstream media are generally well aware of these legal requirements, SLS recognises that many concerned citizens, fuelled by a genuine desire for justice and child protection, may feel compelled to share information online. "We gently remind the public that even well-intentioned actions can inadvertently breach the law. "We therefore encourage everyone to exercise care and avoid circulating material that could identify the children involved," he said, adding that the bullying of Zara, 13, which once shocked the nation, has now reached the courts. The statement came after the Attorney-General confirmed that five minors will face charges at the Children's Court in Kota Kinabalu this Wednesday. Nazim said the requirement for such proceedings to be conducted in camera was not meant to diminish the seriousness of the allegations, but to ensure justice is carried out fully and according to law. "For justice to be fully served in Zara's case, including the ongoing inquest, the process must remain free from breaches of the law that may jeopardise proceedings. "Respecting court processes ensures that justice is delivered properly, fairly, and beyond challenge," he said. Acknowledging the strong emotions stirred by the case, Nazim commended the outpouring of concern from Sabahans and Malaysians alike. "That fire, that conscience, that unwillingness to look away, is something that commands respect. "Now let that same strength show itself in discipline, by honouring the dignity of the court and the rule of law," he said. He added that all parties, including the public, media and those active on social platforms, should allow both the Children's Court case and the inquest to unfold without interference, so that justice may be served in its entirety.
Malaysiakini
3 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Respect minors' rights, group says as teens to face charge of bullying Zara
With several teenagers scheduled to be charged with allegedly bullying Zara Qairina Mahathir, Suhakam urged the public and media to let justice take its course in accordance with the rule of law, while respecting minors' rights. While stressing that bullying is not acceptable, the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) mentioned the suspected teenagers are entitled to full protection under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), which includes trauma-informed support, legal representation and fair treatment.
