The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry have reportedly ordered the Welfare Home for Children with Disabilities in Batu Gajah to dismantle the ‘cages’ where hyperactive residents are often placed.
Its minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun told The New Straits Times that the Ministry has banned the home from using the controversial grill-door covered enclosures.
“We have also submitted a form to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to have the name of the facility changed to “Welfare Home”, since most of the inmates are adults,” she was quoted as saying.
Azizah also told the daily that the staff are required to attend a course.
“As for the ‘hyperactive’ inmates, the ministry has ordered the welfare home’s staff to attend a course (on caring for people with special needs), and they will be monitored by the state Welfare Department,” she was further quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the welfare home, R. Sivalingam, told the daily that they will abide to the Ministry’s directive, but added that the home needs monetarial assistance as they have yet to receive a grant from the government.
“However, due to financial constraints, we need assistance in carrying out the changes, including renovating the sleeping area for the residents, especially those with aggressive tendencies.
“We hope that the ministry can look into this,” he was quoted as saying.
Last month, a woman, who was reportedly visiting her aunt, stumbled upon the ‘cages’ with children inside and she took photographs of them.
The photographs went viral on social media and sparked national outrage.
