JOHOR BARU: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry reminds parents always to monitor and supervise their children when playing with firecrackers or fireworks during Hari Raya.
Its deputy minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said parents need to be more sensitive and not neglect their children to avoid any untoward incident.
"This is because we don't want the celebration to end in sadness. Children should always be monitored and cared for. If anything untoward happens, it can be interpreted as neglect and action can be taken under the Child Act," she told reporters after opening the "Memacu Kehidupan: Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2023” programme organised by PETRONAS Foundation here on Friday (April 14) night.
She said this when asked about the Local Government Development Ministry’s decision in allowing the sale of fireworks and firecrackers in the country.
Meanwhile, regarding the proposed establishment of the Child Development Department to protect children including those involving crime and abuse, she said the matter is in the discussion stage with the Public Service Department and the Ministry of Finance.
"Insya Allah, in 2026, the department will operate as an agency under the ministry," she said.
Earlier, the PETRONAS Foundation distributed 250 packages of food items, such as glutinous rice, coconut milk, rendang paste and peanut sauce, as well as Raya cookies, to low-income families.- Bernama
