Unattended Children,certain Cases Parents To Blame: Cassa

[CASSA318]

*This press release was carried by Malay Mail on Saturday January 24, 2004 on page 8

CASSA - Press Release: 23 January 2004


'It is therefore imperative for the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable in law and to penal sanctions if there is proof that their children were put in harm’s way or in danger or having being a victim to serious crimes of rape and murder because of the irresponsibility and apathy of the respective parents.' - Dr. George



UNATTENDED CHILDREN CERTAIN CASES PARENTS TO BLAME: CASSA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (CASSA) today called upon parents to be more responsible in watching over their children in view of the growing number of sexual assaults, rape and murder of children in the country.

CASSA investigations and a recent survey conducted on January 21 & 22 clearly showed that despite the recent outcry of the rape and murder of 10 Nurul Huda in Johor Baru, parents were still being irresponsible and careless in watching over their children in public areas, play grounds and in hyper and supermarkets.


CASSA survey conducted in 10 shopping areas ( Giants Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Makro Shah Alam, Tesco Puchong, Bukit Raja Shopping Centre in Klang, Masalam Shopping Centre in Shah Alam, PKNS Shopping Centre Shah Alam, Mydin Klang and Kuala Lumpur ) clearly denoted that parents were not watching over their children neither were the children’s walk- a –bout been supervised.

As such, children were seen running about aimlessly unsupervised and in several incidents found unattended and lost, forcing the customer service section of the respective supermarkets to announce over the public address system the finding of a child lost by the supermarket authorities.

If parents continue this unreasonable and irresponsible trend, these places may become fertile breeding grounds for children to be kidnapped, assaulted or even hurt.

It is therefore imperative for the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable in law and to penal sanctions if there is proof that their children were put in harm’s way or in danger or having being a victim to serious crimes of rape and murder because of the irresponsibility and apathy of the respective parents.

It is also imperative and important that the Ministry of Information in consultation with community groups to also spearhead various campaigns on child safety and parenting skills and responsibility!

Dato’ Dr. Jacob George

President/Legal Adviser

CASSA

[robertec]

We should just start a campaign amongst Primary Schools immediately to:

SAY "NO" to strangers.

Teach them

DO NOT BEFRIEND and
DO NOT TRUST people they don't know.

This was the advice I got from Selangor CPO of Polis, Dato' Mohamad Noor Hamat.

Maybe we should just take him up on it.

Let's not just keep talking about it.

What say you guys in the PTAs?

[CASSA318]

The Star's Dato' V.K. Chin said the following - The Star January 26/2004

Proper upbringing can deter violence

By V.K. Chin

AFTER the series of barbaric acts against young children and women, including rapes and murders, the question on everyone's lips is: What drives some men to behave like monsters?

This is a moot question and the reason for this boils down to the way we bring up our children.

We cannot just blame this on society as every parent or guardian has a role to play so that their loved ones will grow up to show respect for other human beings.

Those who have been badly brought up will tend to show signs of aggressive behaviour against others and will not hesitate to commit acts of violence against the weak and helpless.

Children who are over-pampered or neglected may show such hostile tendencies against others in later years.

Too many parents tend to give their children too many liberties without making any attempt to discipline them even when they are doing something wrong.

They will grow up with the mistaken notion that they can conduct themselves in the same way and can get away with it.

Parents must be prepared to be strict with their children and to teach them what is right and wrong.

It is good that children are given a certain amount of freedom to act independently but they must be constantly guided so that they will not believe that they can do no wrong.

Unless they are taught good manners and to respect the rights of others, they are likely to get into trouble either with the law or with their friends and relatives.

Actually, the culprits could be the womenfolk, who as mothers, may over-indulge their loved ones and overlook many of their children's shortcomings.

If parents are not prepared to act firmly with their children who have done something wrong, then they should not be shocked that their offspring should run foul of the law or be involved in anti-social activities.

Too many parents are too busy with their careers to spend time with their children and rely too much on others, such as maids or teachers, to do this job for them.

Early education must begin at home and with the right parental love and guidance, the young ones will grow up with the proper values and know how to conduct themselves in dealings with others.

[bazz]

hehe!!

CASSA should open a child care centre or nusery!!

*LOTS OF LAUGHES*

:D

[TepenPucong]

I've been reading again and again on CASSA posting, and come to think of it, I don't think CASSA is the NGO to voice out their piece on these matters (child raping, talking to strangers etc).

Or is it me who doesn't understand how CASSA defined which matters is a consumer matter and which is not.

Bazz,
Good suggestion indeed..heheheh..

[robertec]

In this instance, CASSA is right.

This comes under the category of Consumer's right to safety.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Come on, consumer's right to safety? And putting the blame on parents? It is so hilarious.

:D

[aimless]

thanks bazz, for bringing forth this old thread. i missed it in January.

I think it is not unreasonable for CASSA to bring up this topic, as it IS a valid concern for our kids today. But i must agree with CHL - putting the blame on parents is in extremely poor taste. To me it is along the lines of groups which say that women are to blame for tantalising men who eventually rape them.

As much as I personally dislike seeing screaming children running around in public places, it is NOT, NOT, NOT and invitation to kidnap and rape them. No matter how irresponsible their parents are.

[achee]

Wonder why we cannot agree with CASSA's statement?? Look into the mirror and ask ourselves what we are doing to justify our laughter to CASSA?

Just bcoz the statement was brought up by CASSA (a consumer association), one may not feel it is valid.

Imagine, you are walking at midvalley with your children, suddenly one is missing within a blink.........

[orchipalar]

Hi:) - Orchi feels CASSA has good intentions, this one being looking out on safety issues of our kids, especially in public areas. The manner could be undesirable to some, or could even offend a few, but generally for one Orchipalar family, we ought to be more careful. When serious crimes been committed by maniacs these days, we're living in fear most times, hoping none of such cruelty would ever happen to us or to some one dear to us. We realise, most times we're not physically present with our kids when they're at school, n going to and back from school. The rest of the days while we're out working n between the time we see them off or see them at the end of the day back home, they're left to be 'home alone' with maid or caretaker or close relatives. What would happen then when they're being 'neglected' by us the 'parent'? IF so, Orchi ought to be 'shot':rolleyes:

[TepenPucong]

I'm not totally against what CASSA is doing. They do performed well as their part to protect consumers rights in some of the problems arised.

But then, can someone please explain, what is the connection between children, parenting and consumerisme?

Earlier Robertec said that "This comes under the category of Consumer's right to safety." Since when did the children is a consumer to parents?

I do agree that some parents do neglect their children, but why does CASSA is bringing up this problem that makes me don't understand.

[bazz]

Hi All, especially my beloved old buddy aimless & my new friend TepenPuchong..

I'm not saying that cassa is wrong this time.. in this matter, they really showed the good faith towards citizen and people..

<b>but they come out with PRESS RELEASE on this matter</b> using their name <b>as consumer association</b>. I strongly believe this had <b>DISOBEYED</b> their objective and mission as a consumer association..

A question blink thru my brain at this very critical moment..
<b>Should CASSA concentrate on fighting for consumer right? or keep on doing good things that doesn't belongs to their mission and objective??</b>

I believe this is ridiculour.. let's take an example (aimless, u will stand with me this time)..

<u><b>Scenario A: Firefighter directs traffic when heavy traffic jam. In that moment, a family was killed when their house on fire.</b></u>
This firefighter's mission is to save people when their house is on fire, but during his duty, out of his good will and good faith, he go and direct traffic because of heavy traffic. His intention is first class, very good but because he didn't focus and concentrate on his mission and objective, during he direct the traffic, a house was burnt down and a family killed in fire.

<b>So, is this firefighter right</b>?:confused:

This scenario is very similar to what CASSA is doing.. is CASSA right?? :confused:


<hr>
Quoted: CASSA318
UNATTENDED CHILDREN CERTAIN CASES PARENTS TO BLAME: CASSA

<b>Should CASSA blame supermarket instead of Parent as a consumer association??? Maybe cassa should blame supermarket of not providing NURSERY or ChildCare Centre (which is not economical).. Blaming parent is consumerism????</b>

[Cool Hand Luke]

I would be happier if CASSA would look into the dirty piped water woes we are facing as well as the several posts from members who complained about pricings in Giant. Or high toll charges for that matter.

:D

[bazz]

I'm totally agree with luke!!

[robertec]

The surveys and investigations made at 10 shopping centres right after the Nurul Huda incident in JB showed that parents were still irresponsible and careless in the care of their charges.

Cassa was asking the AG’s office and the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable.
It went on to ask the Ministry of Information to spearhead various campaigns on child safety and parenting skills.

These statements alone encompass many facets of Consumer rights, so how can that be so wrong?

Maybe after you have read their Policy on Consumerism, Rights and Responsibilities at their website, you would think differently.

As the saying goes, “We need to look beyond the bushes for the trees”.

Hey, don’t get me wrong, you can read into it however you like and I do agree with most of you that CASSA should be concentrating on issues that are near and dear to the hearts of Consumers in Subang Jaya and Shah Alam. Instead of veering to destinations that are alien to most of us.

[bazz]

quoted:
<hr>
Cassa was asking the AG�s office and the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable.
<hr>

should CASSA work more closely with Kementerian Pengguna???? instead of Ministry of Women and Family Development?

[pcyeoh]

CASSA is right in pushing the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable. The Kementrian Pengunna is the wrong party to approach as they may be treating the children like cattle and goats. Maybe here I would like to suggest that instead of penal sanction (which is a stick approach) why not come up with
some guidelines and education to draw the attention of many misguided parents that they can play a role in shaping the lives of their children and not leaving it completely to others such as teachers, friends and community. Time really flies. When I have my kids, I did not find the time to play with them. Today, I regretted that they are overgrown babies (the two elder ones are teenagers now) that I no longer can do that short of being accused of molesting them!! Thank God, I still have the two younger ones that provide me a second chance to spend fatherly time with them and at the same time enjoying my scond childhood - NOT ala Michael Jackson

[aimless]

the main problem i have here is penal sanctions against parents. I do not dispute the fact that some parents are irresponsible and may neglect their children. But to prosecute them is like saying that the reason children are kidnapped is that the parents are irresponsible. Ie you are penalising parents instead of finding ways to punish and deter kidnappers. I think this approach is so wrong. Like i said before, it's like blaming the women who get raped because they are dressed too provocatively.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Aimless - Absolutely spot on. There are other 'consumer related' issues such as dirty piped water, high toll rates and inconsistent pricings of some hypermarkets (I believe, our forum members have indicated Giant in USJ) to look at. I have no qualms that what CASSA is trying to do is noble but given the reality that there are a million and one issues to solve, won't it be more feasible and worthwhile to look at issues which are closer to the hearts of an ordinary consumer?

[bazz]

<i>quoted by PCYeoh</i>
<hr>
<b>
CASSA is right in pushing the Ministry of Women and Family Development to draw up new penal sanctions to make parents accountable. The Kementrian Pengunna is the wrong party to approach as they may be treating the children like cattle and goats. Maybe here I would like to suggest that instead of penal sanction (which is a stick approach) why not come up with
some guidelines and education to draw the attention of many misguided parents that they can play a role in shaping the lives of their children and not leaving it completely to others such as teachers, friends and community. Time really flies. When I have my kids, I did not find the time to play with them. Today, I regretted that they are overgrown babies (the two elder ones are teenagers now) that I no longer can do that short of being accused of molesting them!! Thank God, I still have the two younger ones that provide me a second chance to spend fatherly time with them and at the same time enjoying my scond childhood - NOT ala Michael Jackson</b>
<hr>


what i'm trying to say is they are running away from their job scope. They are not working towards their mission and objective as a consumer association.