In the wake of death of a 7-year old from alleged abuse, Suhakam’s children’s commissioner Noor Aziah Mohd Awal said the current Talian Kasih does not have a special dedicated line.
Noor Aziah also said the government should undertake more efforts to ensure the safety of children, particularly those who live in the rural areas.
Later when contacted, Noor Aziah said that when Talian Nur was created, it was a special line for children with specially trained psychosocial staff managing it.
“When it was renamed to Talian Kasih, it became a general line and the calls are answered by an operator.”
The Talian Kasih 15999 hotline and the WhatsApp number 019-2615999 she said, should be promoted through various platforms, including social media, television, radio and advertisement board at all public areas such as highways, mosques, supermarkets, buses and train stations.
“It is frustrating to hear that there are many children who are unable to live in a safe environment.”
On Saturday, it was reported that a seven-year-old boy died in Taman Krubong Jaya, Melaka after he was believed to have been abused by his mother and stepfather.
According to police, the boy was allegedly drowned in a water tub in his house, while preliminary investigations found physical injuries on the victim’s body. The boy’s parents have been detained.
The victim had previously been raised by his adopted family in Rawang, Selangor, since he was a baby before his mother returned to take him back in October last year.
Noor Aziah went on to say that it is pertinent for foster families to register themselves with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM).
This, she said, is to allow JKM to monitor the child’s well-being and safety, and to provide necessary advice if the biological parents decide to take the child back into their care.
“While foster care is encouraged, JKM should provide the proper procedures for those who wish to do so in order to protect the child, should the legal guardian (parents of the child) wish to take the child back into their care.”