SHAH ALAM - The Selangor government will continue to intensify operations to identify unregistered childcare centres in the state.
The Women and Community Welfare Executive Council (Exco) member Anfaal Saari said this was in line with the directive from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Anfaal said they were working with the Selangor Social Welfare Department to ensure that childcare centres in the state met the required safety and welfare standards for their occupants.
"Currently, there are 1,023 registered childcare centres, while 226 unregistered ones have been identified in Selangor. Unregistered centres are subject to action by the Welfare Department.
"Among the reasons given by the operators of unregistered centres include technical issues with local authorities.
"Some issues are related to fire safety compliance and a small number could not be approved because the caregivers lack the required KAAK certification," she told Sinar on Sunday.
She said that unregistered childcare centres were subject to action under Section 6(1) of the Child Care Centers Act 1984 [Act 308], which stipulated that no one may operate or participate in the management of an unregistered childcare centre.
Anfaal added that those found violating the regulations could be fined up to RM10,000 or face imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
She noted that for a second offence, the penalty could be a fine of up to RM20,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
"Based on this section, the Selangor government, through JKM, will carry out surprise inspections of childcare centres to ensure that operators comply with the provisions," Anfaal said.