KUALA LUMPUR: Parents should not use earning a living as an excuse to neglect their children and leave them unsupervised, said Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Nancy said leaving children unsupervised is not only an offence under the law but also puts them in harm’s way.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy emphasized that there are various legal measures to prevent neglect, but acknowledged that sometimes the law is not the only solution. She noted that some parents face family or financial problems and encouraged them to discuss their challenges with family or friends. She stressed that while sending children to a childcare centre can be challenging, it cannot be used as an excuse to leave them alone, emphasizing the importance of their safety.

Nancy’s comments followed a recent case where a woman was sentenced to one month in prison by the Ampang Sessions Court for neglecting her two sons, leaving them unsupervised at home last month. This incident highlights
the legal repercussions and safety risks associated with leaving children unattended.

Speaking at the ministry’s Tautan KASIH programme, Nancy expressed appreciation to media practitioners for their role in highlighting the ministry’s initiatives. She noted that the media’s efforts help spread awareness of the ministry’s programmes and assistance to the public, acknowledging the indebtedness of the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development to the media for disseminating important news.

Also present at the event were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus, and Bernama TV head Nor Hamzeela Md Hambali.