SUHAKAM concerned over corporal punishment on children in Malaysia

Citing the example of using cane in schools and homes and the whipping on juvenile by the judiciary, the commission had called on the government to review laws that permit corporal punishment on children.

It wants the Child Act 2001 and Criminal Procedure be reviewed.

"As a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), it is important for the government to undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of maltreatment by parents or other responsible for the care of the child," the commission said in a statement, Monday.

It also urges all stakeholders to adopt a more sensitive approach in disciplining children and that alternative punishments can be considered such as community service to rehabilitate youths.

The commission also hoped that the children of the Malaysian couple in Sweden will be given proper care, since they are temporarily separated from their parents following their abuse case.

"SUHAKAM hopes that the best interests of these children will be given due attention, especially in terms of care and love that are essential for their protection, survival, growth and wellbeing," it said.

Shalwati Nor Shal, a teacher on unpaid leave who have been detained for allegedly abusing her four children in their home in Spanga, Sweden was found guilty by The Solna District Court last Friday for violating her children’s integrity.

Shalwati was found guilty for repeated assaults on all four children and will serve a 14 months jail term starting from the day she was detained.

Azizul Raheem Awaluddin was sentenced to a 10 months jail term for abusing three of his children. However, he was acquitted of any offences against his youngest son.

Both Shalwati and Azizul will have to pay damages to their children. They are both yet to meet their children since they were detained, on Dec 18, last year.

Their children Aisyah, 14, Ammar 12, Adam 11 and Arif 7, who are now under the care of their aunt in Kelantan were brought home from Sweden by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin, last month.