Sunday February 13, 2011

Ministry finalising new set of rules for welfare homes, says Shahrizat

By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: A new set of guidelines is being finalised by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to step up enforcement against the rising cases of abuse and negligence in welfare homes.

“The guidelines are to ensure that welfare home operators abide by existing laws pertaining to the welfare of their residents,” said minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

She said the government would not tolerate any form of abuse or negligence and urged welfare home operators and caretakers to be more responsible towards the people under their care.

She called on the public to immediately report to the ministry if they suspect residents of orphanages or old folks’ homes were being abused or neglected.

“Prevention is the way to go.

Speaking up: The young lawyers and chambering students of loyarburuk (from left) Bon, Van Geyzel, Azira, Fahri and Leu have opened an avenue for the young to voice their thoughts.

“We don’t want to only take action after a child is abused,” she said, adding that the ministry would soon be meeting with welfare home operators to brief them on the new guidelines.

Shahrizat said this after launching charity initiative “Mari Beramal Bersama Colgate” which saw the company donate RM200,000 to 12 charity homes in the country.