Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the incident was not isolated and reflected systemic weaknesses in the regulation, monitoring and enforcement of care centre standards.

“As a nation that upholds human rights and the rule of law, Malaysia should not allow unregistered care centres to continue operating without supervision and without being held to minimum standards.

“We call for integrated enforcement and regular audits of all care centres, whether registered or not,” he said in a statement.

Ezri also proposed structured and certified training for all care centre operators and caregivers, along with an annual public reporting system for complaints, incidents, and feedback.

He likewise called for regular visits by visitors’ boards appointed by the social welfare department to monitor care centres and ensure compliance with standards.

It was previously reported that police had arrested a couple who operated a children’s home in Cheras, following allegations of abuse.

Kajang police said a report was lodged on April 1 by an 18-year-old youth who claimed that he was scolded and slapped on his left cheek for not listening to the shelter’s owners and caretakers.

Two other police reports were lodged by other witnesses, alleging that the couple had abused the children emotionally and mentally.

The home was ordered to shut down, and the women, family and community development ministry said 18 children under the care of the husband and wife had been rescued.

The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001 for child abuse.