ALOR GAJAH: The Defence Ministry will help expedite a request for a transfer by one of its officers, whose eight-month-old baby boy passed away at a daycare centre yesterday.
Deputy Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry was fully aware of the difficult situation experienced by Major Mohd Fikry Amri Abdul Halim and his wife, Sabrina Hakiem Zaini, both 39, who waited 13 years to have a child.
"During this difficult time, we will assist so that the husband (Mohd Fikry Amri), who is also a member of the Royal Engineer Regiment, can be with his wife, as he is currently stationed at the Perdana Camp in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, while his wife is in Melaka.
"We will help forward their request for a change in placement, but it will depend on approval at the defence services-level," he said when quoted by Bernama.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the couple at their home in Taman Kelemak Utama here today.
Adly added that his ministry would monitor the welfare of the couple, including providing any necessary psychological assistance.
"We can see that the husband is the most affected, and this is why we will offer all forms of support, not only involving physical aspects but also psychological support.
"We want to ensure the stability of the family, as it will affect his service in the future," he said.
Adly, who is also the Alor Gajah member of parliament, called for strict monitoring and action by the relevant authorities, particularly the Social Welfare Department, against private daycare centres operating without a licence.
It was reported yesterday that the eight-month-old baby boy was found unconscious at a daycare centre in Kelemak after being dropped off by his mother and grandfather.
He was then taken to Alor Gajah Hospital, where a doctor confirmed his death.
Following the incident, a 34-year-old woman, who is a caregiver at the daycare centre, has been remanded for a week starting today to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.