Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said with the child registry in place, the ministry and the Welfare Department hope to protect children from repeat offenders.

“Parents, school managements, childcare centres and even religious organisations can now use this registry to check on sex offenders.

“As long as it involves working with children, they are encouraged to use the registry,” Yeoh said after launching an event here.

Yeoh warned parents to be constantly aware of the people around their children because the names of some offenders may not be in the system.

“This list is good up till February this year,” she said.

The registry, according to Yeoh is also useful for school managements to screen new employees, including teachers.

Those who want to run checks would only have to bring their identification card or documents to support their reason to request a search.

“We don’t want the public to abuse the registry although we are calling out to those who need to run checks to come forward.

“Results for checks are available immediately when done at the state-level Welfare Departments. At the district level, it may take five days,” said Yeoh, adding that the ministry would also keep track of applicants asking to take a look at the registry.

When asked if the list of offenders would be freely available to all members of the public, Yeoh said there were no plans to do so as it involves a few other ministries, police and the courts.

Yeoh said about 3,000 names of those convicted under the Child Act 2001 were on the list.