JOHOR BARU: Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah has expressed her sadness over the death of a four-year-old boy due to alleged abuse in Batu Pahat some three days ago.
Her Majesty granted an audience to state police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat, who presented information on the case at Istana Bukit Serene on Wednesday (Dec 28).
“It really broke my heart to hear the explanation from Comm Kamarul Zaman, so much so that he shed tears.
"It reminds me of the case of the late 'Baby Bala' in 1990, which also led to the enactment of the Child Act 2001," said Raja Zarith.
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“As a mother and also a grandmother, I not only call on, but appeal to all Malaysians to be more sensitive and concerned about the safety of children. Every life is priceless," Her Majesty said in a post on the Royal Johor Facebook page on Wednesday night.
Raja Zarith hoped that the child's death would not be in vain, and added that this served as a reminder to the community to be more sensitive in protecting that vulnerable group.
“There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Children expect and need us members of the community to keep them safe. We should not look the other way until there is prolonged abuse and loss of life.
“We all have a very important role in society, which is to protect children from being abused. Our responsibility is enormous. Don't forget that it is a responsibility from God," Her Majesty added.
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On Tuesday (Dec 27), it was reported that a four-year-old boy in Batu Pahat died from alleged physical abuse while in the care of his guardian and older sister.
Police learned of the matter when a 23-year-old man lodged a report at around 6.45pm on Friday (Dec 23) that the child had fainted.
Following the report, police arrested five people, including the victim’s 19-year-old sister and her 37-year-old husband.
The boy, who was hospitalised on Friday, died at around 6.40pm on Monday (Dec 26) at the Hospital Sultan Ismail intensive care unit.
