Suhakam children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said the public should be conscious of their collective responsibility in helping to tackle the prevalence of child abuse cases in unlicensed centres.

“Although the government has the primary obligation to safeguard children’s rights, their protection cannot be secured without parents and guardians being vigilant and aware of their own extensive responsibilities.

“It is vitally important that parents and guardians are aware of the competency of individuals who are not only in contact with their children but also entrusted with them,” Farah said in a statement.

She added that the onus was on parents and guardians to look for childcare centres that met the requirements prescribed by the law and which were regulated by JKM.

“The recent occurrence of child abuse or neglect cases allegedly perpetrated by childcare providers or babysitters is deeply disturbing and alarming.”

In the latest case, a 21-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday to assist in an investigation into viral videos of a baby being physically abused at a nursery in Johor Bahru.

The nursery was shut down after JKM confirmed it was operating without a licence.

The childcare centre’s two other branches – in Jalan Abdul Samad and Gelang Patah – have also been closed.