Nearly 400 kids rescued from begging syndicate between 2008-2014
Published on: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: A total of 391 children forced to raise funds or beg in public places nationwide were rescued between 2008 and last year.Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said the children, rescued under section 17(1)(k) of the Child Act 2001, were currently either placed in child protection centres or returned to their parents or guardians."The parents or guardians of the rescued children are required to fulfil a bond, as stipulated under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 to ensure they genuinely looked after their children," she told the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.
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She was replying to a question by Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) on how often the Ministry carried out integrated operations through the Social Welfare Department to rescue children who were exploited to collect donations at public places.Azizah said the Ministry, through the welfare department had created special task forces, in collaboration with other enforcement agencies such as Malaysian Islamic Development Department, state religious councils, state education departments and the immigration department to carry out operations to rescue the children. Meanwhile, the proposal to raise the critical allowance of Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) personnel will be presented to the Cabinet soon for approval.Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it was reasonable to ensure that the critical allowance for firemen was equivalent to those received by other rescue agencies like the army, police and Rela.
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"We have discussed the matter with the director-general (Fire Department) as well as the Finance Ministry, as it involves financial allocation," he said when winding up the debate on the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) for his Ministry.Abdul Rahman was replying to a query from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) who wanted to know whether the government or relevant ministry intended to raise the critical allowance for firemen who faced many challenges and obstacles when carrying out their duties.
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He did not disclose the amount of allowance increase, but informed that it would benefit about 13,000 firemen.In the meantime, Abdul Rahman said JBPM would include preparations for earthquake disasters as well as methods on saving oneself during, and after an earthquake in their educational programme.He said that this was because the operation scope for firemen had expanded, involving unexpected occurrences such as the recent earthquake in Sabah. – BernamaHe said JBPM would also provide special training to the mountain guides who served on Mount Kinabalu, as they are the first to respond in the event of any incident, including earthquakes.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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