A special cabinet committee for protecting the vulnerable group has been set up by the government, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The committee is aimed at safeguarding the welfare of the vulnerable group, especially children, persons with disabilities (PwD), women and senior citizens.
Ismail said the committee is chaired by him, with representatives of the Ministries of Women, Family and Community Development, Home, Education, Housing and Local Government, Health, and the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
Ismail said this during his visit to down syndrome girl Bella at a welfare home under the supervision of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) here. Bella was rescued from her previous welfare home after being allegedly abused and the trial for the case is currently still ongoing.
Also present with him were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi.
Sharing to his official Facebook page, Ismail said the federal government takes a serious view of Bella’s case, who is alleged to have been tortured and neglected. He also elaborated that the case happened in 2021 and the government intervened through the Social Welfare Department by rescuing Bella from her previous welfare home.
He then expresses that he is thankful that Bella has recovered and regained her confidence to be able to socialise with her friends at the new welfare home.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that cases similar to Bella may be happening out there but are not reported.
This is why the government has set up the new committee for the protection of these vulnerable groups in the country.
Meanwhile, Ismail said this committee will also look into the operations of religious educational institutions like tahfiz centres which are not registered and not managed properly.
He added that the committee will ensure that all care centres are operated according to procedures, in line with the Care Centres Act 1993. This would then ensure that no victims of abuse or information on such cases would be left unheard.
