Views from all parties needed before caning made a criminal act - Muhyiddin

The government will get the views of all parties, including Wanita Umno as well as the public, regarding the proposal by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to make caning children a criminal act under the Child Bill 2001.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the polemics which arose from various parties on the proposal was healthy and should be studied.

"Some say it is better to amend, some say it is not suitable. There are some who say that from the point of view of Islam, there are no objections to us caning the children, but in a suitable manner so as not to abuse and lead to bad consequences.

"There are some non-Muslims who say we should cane as that is the best way if the child is too naughty. But there should not be abuse as to cause pain or destroy them," he told a media conference after chairing a special meeting on the flash floods and landslide in Cameron Highlands here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said although the issue of caning was still at the proposal stage by the ministry concerned and had not yet been tabled to the Cabinet, the government was opened to views from all parties.

"The government can accept the views before the amendments are made," he said.

The deputy prime minister was commenting on the ministry's proposal to include more detailed provisions on actions which could cause physical or mental injury to a child including caning under the Child Bill.

The move was in line with a proposal to abolish Section 91(1)(g) of the Child Act 2001 which currently allows the court to impose caning on a child who has been found guilty.