SHAH ALAM, Nov 1 — The state government has established a Special Committee on the Improvement of Care Services to review, evaluate and improve laws related to care services for children, the elderly, and the disabled in Selangor.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said that for the first year of its establishment, the committee chaired by Subang Jaya state assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze will focus on improving guidelines and regulations regarding child care.
[caption id="attachment_363367" align="alignleft" width="243"] State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari speaks to the media after awarding Wanita Berdaya Selangor scholarships to recipients at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building, Shah Alam, on July 10, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Based on the latest report by the police, cases of sexual abuse and child abuse in Selangor were the highest in Malaysia for three consecutive years.
"This shows how critical the need is to review, identify loopholes, and improve the existing legal system and guidelines to ensure the safety of children," she said in a statement today.
[caption id="attachment_371607" align="alignright" width="227"] Subang Jaya state assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze speaks to the press during the Selangor Saring free health screening programme for the Subang Jaya state constituency, Dewan MBSJ SS15 in Subang Jaya, on September 8, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Apart from safety, the existing guidelines will also be studied with a view of encouraging more operators of care centres for children, the elderly and the disabled to register their premises with the relevant government agency.
Anfaal said the establishment of the committee was also in line with the state government's efforts to improve the guidelines following the increase in population.
“Demand for care services is expected to increase, and therefore these improvements are critical to ensure the welfare and safety of the most vulnerable," she said.
— Bernama