SC to discuss issues on bullying, unwed young mothers - Rohani

The Social Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, will discuss issues on bullying and unwed young mothers at its meeting this month in a concerted effort to address the problem.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said she had informed the deputy prime minister that the issue on bullying could not be left to her ministry alone to handle.

"Following which, he saw the issue as one of the agenda for the (Social Council) meeting which will involve my ministry, the Health Ministry, Education Ministry and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)," she told the media at her ministry's open house here on Wednesday.

On the issue of unwed young mothers, Rohani said although the ministry had set up shelter homes for them, there was a need for other ministries to also play their role.

On the Special Criminal Court handling cases involving child sexual victims which sat for the first time yesterday, Rohani said five cases were heard and the proceedings went well.

"What transpired yesterday will become a benchmark and we will look at any shortcomings in its implementation and rectify them, if any," she said.

She said the court, which hear cases reported in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, also attracted the attention of other states.

"Sarawak has voiced its interest because it is more costly to hear the cases here," she said, adding that because of that, a similar court would be set up in Sabah and Sarawak.

Commenting on a babysitter who cared for nine children, including a child of a Sinar Harian journalist who died, believed to have choked on milk, Rohani said it was the responsibility of parents to ensure they sent their children to childcare centres which were registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

She said the ministry had set a requirement for a house taking in four to nine children to be registered with JKM.

-- BERNAMA