He suggested that the government start by increasing the manpower in the Welfare Department (JKM).
“Increase the number of officers in the JKM and make sure these officers do their work fast and approve the adoption in short order,” he said, adding that the officers must also have integrity in performing their duties
Santiago also proposed that the authorities collaborate with the NGOs running baby hatches.
“In short, provide shelters for pregnant women and teenagers, who can deliver their babies there with no questions asked.
“The NGOs should work with the government to make the process of adoption friendlier and cheaper.”
Santiago said the current process was simply too complicated and required many documents for those facing unwanted pregnancies and who wished to give the child up for adoption.
“Most of the time, these people do not have the required documents because it is the child of a migrant worker or of an underage parent. In short, unwanted pregnancies.”
Underage pregnancies are among the main contributors to the illicit baby trade in the country, he said.
“When a 17 or an 18 year old gets pregnant, and if her parents lodge a report, the male will be charged for statutory rape. It’s very complicated.”
Santiago was responding to an Al Jazeera documentary titled “Malaysia: Babies for Sale”, which shows babies being sold online for between US$1,500 (RM6,600) and US$2,500 each.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching told FMT she had raised the matter in Parliament in April this year but received no response.
“This phenomenon is real and the problem is that even though these baby-selling rackets have been exposed, we are not seeing any action from the government.”
Teo said there were existing laws such as the Child Act 2001 and the Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670) to address the issue.
“Despite the laws being in place, how many people have actually been charged for selling babies in Malaysia?
“The local police force must play its role and nab the culprits behind the sale of babies in Malaysia.
“But it seems that the welfare of children is never the priority of the police.”
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the Al Jazeera expose was “most shocking and serious”.
“It is also shocking that doctors and government official are alleged to be involved in the scheme. This is blatant human trafficking.”
Kok said it was hard to believe the authorities were unaware of such baby-selling rackets and that it took a foreign TV broadcasting company to expose such activities.
The authorities must respond to Al Jazeera’s report, she stressed.
“It is time for the Cabinet members to speak up. The country is waiting for an explanation and for action to be taken against the culprits concerned.”