SHAH ALAM - Experts have suggested making child protection in the country, system-based rather than it only being championed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other parties.
Universiti Malaya senior law lecturer Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said currently, the child protection system in the country was championed-based, unlike European countries.
"Child protection is taking place in silos (in Malaysia), and a lot of people are doing it very well but in different segments.
"It is at the moment championed-based, not system-based.
Farah was speaking as a panellist on Sinar Daily’s Wacana English Edition programme entitled "Abused and Vulnerable: Are The Children Safe?”, today.
She explained that when the child protection system was only being championed by certain parties, it depended on who was at the helm.
"If the institution is led by somebody who is very passionate about children, then you will have no problem with children running away from the institution.
"However, when it is led by somebody who is less passionate about children, then of course you will not be achieving your target," she added.
She said if child protection in the country was system-based, there would not be a problem because no matter where the children were, the system implemented would be the same and they will be adequately protected in accordance to the law.
She added that the country should strive towards making child protection system-based instead of championed-based.
Yayasan Chow Kit founder Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin who was also a panellist on the programme echoed Farah's view saying that there should be more collaboration and sharing of resources towards one common goal.
"I think there is too much silo works going on. It is very territorial, charity-based, and not rights based.
"We should all work together towards one common goal which is whoever the commissioner is, they must uphold the rights in the protection of the children," she added.