Malaysia - Not letting children out of sight

It's 6.30pm and several young children are walking outside a block of low-cost flats in Petaling Jaya. The kids, no more than seven or eight years old, seem quite adept at crossing the road without any adult supervision.

This is just days after five-year-old Nurul Nadirah was found burnt and buried in a hole in an oil palm estate in Johor. Nurul had gone missing after she went out to buy instant noodles and eggs at a sundry shop near her home in Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, on March 1.

-       Dirang's mum fears double blow

-       5-year-old killed over grudge

-       Mum cries in anguish as little Nurul's body is identified

-       Mum: I want the murderer to go through what my daughter did

-       Cops confirm charred remains are those of missing child

-       'Please return my daughter'

-       Girl missing after shopping trip

-       Public outrage over girl's brutal death

News of her tragic death appeared on the front pages of most major newspapers early this week, sending out alarm bells to parents on the need to keep a close watch on their young children.

For some parents, however, the news appears to have had little impact young children wandering around on their own remains a common scene, whether it's at the pasar malam, cybercafe or shopping malls.

The police have since nabbed four suspects in connection with Nurul's murder, three of them drug addicts with criminal records.

Many Malaysians are not just outraged over her brutal death but also the fact that a five-year-old child had been allowed to walk out of her home on her own.

Some have even accused her mother Roselyn Alan of being negligent, irresponsible and careless by sending her out on an errand without considering the possibility that there could be undesirable characters around.

Edwin Ng CK, 35, who has two daughters aged two and five, was very angry when he heard about Nurul's murder. He believes it is no longer safe for kids to be alone these days.

"I wouldn't know what age is right (for them to be out without supervision) but even those who are 18 are vulnerable," he claims.

Nurul's case is not isolated. There have been several tragic cases where children have gone missing and turned up dead or have never been found at all.

Many still remember the case of eight-year-old Nurin Jaslin Jazimin who went missing a few years ago after going to a night market near her home in Wangsa Maju. Her body was later found stuffed in a bag.

In reality, though, such crimes are statistically insignificant, according to Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Dr P. Sundramoorthy.

He, however, says that even one case is one too many for the public, especially crimes involving children.

Dr Sundramoorthy believes it is quite understandable for parents to become more protective of their children.

"The parents don't only feel sympathy but empathy as well. They put themselves in the shoes of the affected parents. This sadness might turn into an unwarranted fear," he says.

Nurul's mother, however, never imagined that there would be anything to fear. Her daughter had been going out to the sundry shop near their flat since she was three years old, she said, adding that many others at the flats also allow their children to roam the area unattended.

Roselyn added that she would never have allowed her daughter to go out alone if her safety had been in question.

Mother-of-two Kuljit Kaur, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, says she would never let her children go out on their own because she believes it's just not safe these days.

She doesn't think that the numbers are insignificant as she always hears or reads of cases of snatch theft, kidnapping, murder and rape.

"I may be too protective but the risk is too high. I won't even allow my 12-year-old son to go to the park near our home on his own," she shares.

Kuljit admits that she had more freedom as a child growing up in Malacca. Even in primary school, she would go out with her friends or walked some distance to catch the bus to school.

"It was relatively safe back then," she says.

Ng concurs, adding that he would not mind ferrying his daughters around for activities when they are older and have to attend school.

"I don't want to have regrets. It's every parent's responsibility to keep watch over their children although it might not be very popular with the kids," he says, adding that he might feel more relaxed if his children had been male.

Ng also hopes that parents would keep an eye on their children when they are in shopping malls.

"Parents should know that they would not get a second chance if anything happens," he says.

Child rights advocate James Nayagam says he would not allow his 10-year-old twins to walk to the grocery shop on their own although his wife has on several occasions asked the children to pick up some groceries.

"It's not the neighbours but the neighbourhood," he says.

Like Kuljit, Nayagam says it was safer in the old days when the community was a close-knit one and neighbours looked out for one another and their children.

"In the urban setting these days, most parents are working," says Nayagam.

"Also, people do not want to poke their noses into other people's business. Times have changed,"

Everybody's role

Dr Sundramoorthy says that everyone has a role to play in making sure their children are safe and that cases like Nurul's abduction and murder do not recur.

"We cannot be getting wake-up calls every year."

The onus, he stresses, is on the parents and legal guardians to prevent such incidents, adding that "it only takes a few seconds to abduct a child".

He says it is not even advisable for parents to let their children go into public toilets on their own while they stand outside as child molesters could be lurking inside.

But he points out that criticism of the police over such crimes is unwarranted and unfair.

"Generally speaking, it's not possible for the police to prevent such cases, unlike prostitution or gambling."

Childline Malaysia project director P.H Wong is angry and upset that such cases are recurring. She is also puzzled by the reaction of the authorities every time such a case occurs.

"They want to do this and that. But all this is an afterthought when the child has died," she says.

Wong, too, believes that it is pointless to have CCTV and more police presence if the people do not look out for one another.

"The onus is on the parents, neighbours and community to be looking out for our children," she says.

Rashvinjeet S.Bedi

The Star/Asia News Network

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.