Shahrizat: Report abuse cases to Talian Nur

This, she said, was to prevent the victim from further abuse that could result in death.

She said early prevention was crucial and family members, neighbours, as well as the society, should lodge a report immediately to the police or theSocial Welfare Department if they suspected a child being abused.

"If they are afraid to come forward, they can do so by calling Nur at 15999," she told reporters when visiting the family of child abuse victim,Muhammad Faiz Iqhmal Iskandar, at Rumah Pangsa Simpang Kuala on Tuesday.

The two-year-old boy died at 3.30am on Monday after he was believed to have been abused by his mother's boyfriend.

Shahrizat said she was saddened by the incident and advised single mothers to be more cautious and not to easily trust their new boy friend.

Meanwhile, Kedah Umno liaison chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who also visited the family, hoped the incident would be a lesson to the people.