2007 05: NGOs against move to charge parents with negligence

The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday May 26, 2007

PETALING JAYA: Several non-governmental organisations have objected to the proposal that police charge parents with negligence for failing to supervise their children.

Suhakam commissioner Datuk N. Sivasubramaniam said giving the police arbitrary powers to punish, fine or imprison parents was premature and not in line with human rights.

“We recognise that parents have a role to play in the upbringing of their children but we can't simply solve matters by punishing parents,” he said.

He was commenting on numerous calls by Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum for the authorities to take action against parents whose children had gone missing because of their negligence.

Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said such a measure would not be fair to parents.
“It is a ridiculous proposal. This is not the way to the address the problem.

“Supervision is only one part. Why are children involved in social problems? Is it because of the environment, poverty and so on? Is the Government providing sufficient programmes, infrastructure and support for youths? If not, the Government can also be charged with negligence. That is why this is not the way to go. It is against the principles of law.”

He said the best way to handle the issue was through public education.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism vice-president Harcharan Singh said: “No parents will allow or encourage their children to get involved in social ills. You can't simply go after the parents.”

He said the best way of handling the problem was through education and better discipline in schools.

Women's Development Collective executive director Maria Chin Abdullah said she would rather the Government considered providing better childcare support, not just for babies but also youths.

She expressed concern about the discriminatory consequences of the policy to working parents, particularly women, who would normally have to give up their jobs.

“Such a policy will surely affect the lower income group because those from the higher income bracket have maids to take care of their children.”

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Police to consider suggestion on charging negligent parents
The Star online. News. Nation. Monday May 28, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: The police will look into the suggestion for negligent parents to be charged if they fail to supervise their children.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he would also discuss the matter with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

"We will have to discuss it with her as this is under her portfolio. But we will look into the proposal," he told reporters after attending the Internal Security Ministry's monthly gathering here Monday.

Musa was commenting on a proposal by Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum last week for tough action against negligent parents, as there were a high number of missing children.

At present, there are 1,914 children still reported missing.

Johari had also said the parents could be charged under Section 33 of the Child Act 2001.

Earlier, at the gathering, Johari said police should take action against negligent parents on a case-by-case basis.

"If investigations show that they are really being very neglectful of their children's welfare and fail to keep an eye on them, then they should be charged," he said.

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Inculcate good values in kids
The Star online. News. Opinion. Monday May 28, 2007

SOCIETY often blames parents for any wrongdoing or bad behaviour of their children.

While it is true that parents are responsible for their children, the argument does not always hold true when it comes to teenagers.

This is because teenagers are often exposed to all kinds of negative elements coming from their peers at schools, colleges, books and magazines, music, DVDs and more importantly exposure to the Internet which can be abused.

Many movies shown on TV are unsuitable for children to watch. It is easy to classify the movies/films and expect parents to exercise control over their children.

But one should be in the shoes of parents with a few teenage children to really understand the problem they face at home every day.

Working parents would not know everything their children are up to when they are not around to supervise them.

Of course children should have the liberty to watch movies that they like.

It is just not practical for parents to sit with their children every time they watch television or go to the cinema.

Nowadays teenagers want freedom in almost every aspect of their lives.

Undoubtedly, the majority of mothers and to a lesser extent fathers do make efforts to ensure their children are kept away from potential danger and bad influence.

But at the end of the day, it all boils down to the values that we hold dear and how successful we are in inculcating them in our children.

Parents are the real role models for their children and they should not do things that they don't like their children to emulate.

It is therefore a great challenge for parents to raise their children.

In this regard, schools too have a significant role to play and teachers must set good examples for their students to follow.

Children need to be given good advice, guidance and counselling as often as possible while encouraging them to stay focused on their studies.

Extra curricular activities are of course important, but inculcating good moral values must take precedence in view of the present-day challenges faced by children while being away from home.