Its minister Rina Harun said these centres were managed by the private sector and NGOs.

“Beginning January, the ministry began issuing registration orders to centres as we wanted to see how many are registered.

“From February to March 31, there were 1,028 unregistered childcare centres and 1,910 registered ones.

“Of the total 1,028 centres, 38 have since been certified for registration, 57 ceased operations, eight were sealed, 35 were given compound notices and one was charged,” she said at a press conference after visiting Rumah Kanak-Kanak Mini Ulu Tiram here today.

Rina also said the ministry was ready to present to the Cabinet a proposal on the setting up of a Cabinet Committee for Protecting Vulnerable Groups.

She said the committee, to be chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, would look into issues related to care centres, including childcare centres, orphans, persons with disabilities, the elderly and tahfiz centres.