Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said social welfare department (JKM) regulations require every nursery, kindergarten and daycare centre worker to attend the course to ensure they meet quality care standards.

She said JKM’s investigation found that the 24-hour centre had seven staff members and cared for 44 children under the age of four, including the infant who died.

“The investigation also found that the seven staff members, including the two women currently remanded, had not attended the course.

“In fact, there are still babysitters employed at daycare centres, particularly new hires, who have yet to meet the requirements,” she told a press conference.

Lim said an inspection found that the daycare centre was legally registered, complied with all registration requirements and the National Integrated System of Childcare (NISPA), and had been operating for the past four years.

She said JKM had not received any prior complaints from parents or guardians whose children attended the daycare centre.

JKM has ordered the centre to close until the police investigation is completed.

The baby was reportedly sent to the daycare centre on Sunday night as his mother, a nurse, was working the night shift at the hospital.

He was rushed to the hospital’s emergency department at about 4am on Monday after being found unconscious at the daycare centre and was later pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

The two women, both aged 22, have been remanded for seven days.