Published: Tuesday November 3, 2009 MYT 1:18:00 PM
Parliament: Court backlog on child-related cases
By YUEN MEIKENG
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry acknowledged that there are delays in child-related cases being heard in court but said other parties also contributed to the backlog.
Its deputy minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the ministry had held discussions with the Chief Justice to find a solution to the problem but said that various other parties were also contributing to the delays.
“In this respect, discussions with related agencies such as the Attorney-General’s Chambers and police have been held to look into this matter,” she said in reply to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) during question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Chew added that the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, applied a “systematic work procedure” which required the preparation of reports within certain deadlines.
“The preparation of the reports by the set deadlines enables cases to be heard at anytime decided by the court,” she said.
When Fong pointed out that the rakyat (people) wanted to see changes and action being taken to protect children, Chew said the ministry was very concerned (prihatin) about the increase in violence against children.
“That is why there is a need to have a policy to ensure that protecting children is a joint responsibility.
“With the National Child Protection Policy and its Action Plan, as announced by the Minister (Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil), we can work together with all parties to place an emphasis on protecting children from abuse,” she said, adding that the Talian Nur hotline was also available to enable early intervention in cases of domestic violence.
“As for the time taken by the police and other parties, the ministry has no authority over them but we are constantly in discussions with them and will act accordingly,” Chew said.
Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) then interjected and lashed out at the ministry for always using the word “prihatin” to the extent it was mere rhetoric while no action was being taken by the ministry.
Chew then said, “I understand but because you are angry, perhaps you didn’t hear me when I spoke about the national policy and action plan.”
She said the ministry would take the necessary action and hoped the people would understand that the handling of abuse cases involved many other parties.
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