By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 23: Any form of caning that results in physical or mental injury constitutes abuse under the law, regardless of whether it is intended as discipline, says Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
Responding to a question on a recent case involving a man remanded for caning his nephew, Fatimah said it is important to clearly distinguish between disciplining a child and acts that amount to abuse.
“There are two situations. One is caning for the purpose of discipline, and the other is caning that becomes abuse. We must be very clear about the definition.
“If the act of caning does not result in physical or mental injury, that is different. But once caning causes injury, even if the intention was to teach or discipline, it becomes an offence,” she told reporters during a press conference held at Baitul Makmur 2 today.
She stressed that intention alone cannot justify actions that result in harm.
“Even if one claims the intention was to educate, once injury occurs, it is no longer acceptable. It means the action has crossed the line,” she added.
Fatimah noted that existing laws are clear on the matter, adding that acts of violence against children are not tolerated, regardless of who carries them out.
She also pointed out that guidance on disciplining children exists even within religious teachings, emphasising that discipline must never result in harm.
“In Islam, even the method of discipline is explained. It is not meant to injure or cause harm. Once injury occurs, it shows the act was excessive,” she pointed out.
Fatimah reiterated her ministry’s firm stance against violence in any form involving children, stressing that their safety and wellbeing must always come first.
The case first drew public attention after a video went viral showing a man allegedly hitting his nephew with a rotan (cane) and throwing a chair during an incident at a home in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Police received a report on the matter and subsequently arrested the 38-year-old uncle to assist in investigations under child protection laws.
The suspect was reported to have claimed that the incident occurred following the child’s alleged actions towards the grandmother, but authorities have stressed that investigations are ongoing and the matter will be assessed based on the law. – DayakDaily
