OVER 10 CHILDCARE CENTRES IN MELAKA TO FACE ENFORCEMENT ACTION - WELFARE DEPT DIRECTOR

MELAKA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- More than 10 unregistered childcare centres (taska) in the state have been identified, as of today, with enforcement actions, including potential closures, scheduled to take place throughout the month, said state Social Welfare Department director Halyjah Muhammad.

She explained that the department is collaborating with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), to gather information regarding the operations of unregistered childcare centres in the state.

We will be launching a 'Task Force Putih' operation targeting unregistered childcare centres in Melaka. More than 10 such centres are currently under the department’s surveillance and will be raided in the near future,” she said.

“We take the operation of unregistered childcare centres very seriously, and will no longer tolerate operators who refuse or are stubborn in registering their centres,” she told reporters after the ‘Op Pemutihan’ operation against unregistered childcare centre in Batu Berendam, today.

Halyjah noted that one reason operators are reluctant to register is the high demand from parents, coupled with the additional costs involved in registration with the relevant authorities.

She emphasised that enforcement actions are crucial to regulating the operation of all childcare centres in the state, ensuring that operators adhere to the established daycare standard operating procedures. This effort aims to safeguard children and ensure their safety at all times.

Halyjah added that there are currently 135 registered childcare and 117 daycare centres in Melaka. This year alone, 65 childcare and daycare centres have faced enforcement action under the Child Care Centre Act 1984 (Act 308), the Care Centre Act 1993 (Act 506), and related regulations.

The enforcement action included the closure of the premises, fines, prosecution, and cancellation of registration certificates.

“In addition, we also monitor the operations of registered childcare centres, checking aspects such as the food menu, staff qualifications, and babysitters. Action will be taken to cancel the registration certificates of centres that fail to comply with the set rules,” she added.

Earlier, during the operation, a childcare centre in Taman Ehsan, Batu Berendam, and its branch in Bukit Palah, Bukit Baru, were found to be operating illegally, by not being registered.

-- BERNAMA