KUALA LUMPUR: Childcare centres operating without registration with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) have sparked concern among activists, who are urging for stricter oversight and systemic reform to address the issue.
This was after a New Straits Times survey of 11 childcare centres across the city yesterday showed that more than half have not adhered to the requirement to display their Social Welfare Department (JKM) registration number, which went into effect Jan 1.
The survey also revealed the other centres were not registered with the department at all.
Suriana Welfare Society chairman Dr James Nayagam highlighted the hurdles centres face in obtaining this registration.
"In order to register, childcare centres must first apply for various permits from the local authorities, Health Department, and Fire and Rescue Department. They fail to do this and many continue to operate without registering," he said.
In December 2024, Deputy Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad in the Dewan Rakyat said cases of abuse and neglect in childcare centres are still occurring, with most involving unlicensed premises.
She said a total of 4,424 cases of child abuse and neglect had been recorded as of August last year.
Nayagam refuted claims that the permits are prohibitively expensive, urging the government to enforce compliance and conduct audits of these centres.
He said the government may be overwhelmed due to the number of such centres, and suggested outsourcing the registration and training processes to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or appointed entities.
Childline Foundation project director Datin Wong Poai Hong echoed the concerns but said permit costs could impact centres catering to the country's middle and lower-income groups as they are passed onto consumers.
"In some cases, exorbitant fees are charged, which childcare centres serving the M40 or B40 groups find difficult to pay," she said, noting that Malaysia has the lowest rate of childcare enrolment among Asean nations.
Responding to suggestions of punitive measures for non-compliance, Wong stressed the need for proactive reform.
"Why do we always talk about punitive actions and penalties? What is needed is a national framework for quality childcare that is affordable and accessible," she said, advocating for a long-term, structured approach to improve the industry.
Yesterday, Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said childcare centres registered with JKM will soon be provided with plaques to display their details, including their registration number.
Nancy said the plaques which would incorporate QR codes or barcodes would provide parents access to key information about the particular centre.