SHAH ALAM – A work trip for Dr Shazril Shaharuddin and his wife turned into a harrowing experience when CCTV footage revealed their maid allegedly abusing their 10-month-old baby.
Dr Shazril, better known as Dr Say, shared the distressing incident involving his youngest child, Zeq, on social media.
Earlier this month, while on a trip to Penang, he and his wife decided to check their home’s CCTV footage, only to be confronted with shocking scenes.
In the footage, the maid was seen repeatedly shaking the baby, blew at his face and pressed his chest.
"We were heartbroken by what we saw in the footage. It’s even difficult for me to edit the video. Her (maid) only responsibility was to care for my 10-month-old baby, Zeq.
"She didn’t even have to clean the house. Instead, she’s seen doing this (treating aggressively) to perhaps make Zeq drowsy, blowing at his face. The part where she left my child hanging like that and then pressed his chest until he coughed—it made my blood boil," he said.
Dr Say also mentioned overhearing his maid conversing with another helper during the incident.
"After what happened before this, I gave her a second chance, thinking she regretted her actions and would improve. I was wrong," he added.
This is not the first time the maid has been embroiled in controversy.
Previously, Dr Say caught her and another maid bringing unknown men into his home without permission.
Despite this, he said he chose to give her another chance, believing in her remorse.
However, this latest incident has left him and his wife questioning their decision.
Online backlash
The revelation has sparked intense criticism online, with many condemning Dr Say’s decision to leave his children with a maid, especially one with a history of misconduct.
Instagram user Izzie Maamor said it was not a good decision to leave kids with a maid while outstation.
"I never expected a doctor to just leave his child with a maid while outstation. What if an emergency happened? Would the maid even know what to do?" she questioned.
Meanwhile, another user, Nurul Syifaa, expressed disbelief at his parenting choices for leaving their kids alone with a maid.
"How can someone who claims to be all about parenting leave their kids alone with a maid for a week? Healing is fine, but not at the expense of your kids’ safety," she said.
Another Instagram user, Hazel Loke, said that she always gives priority to her kids despite her busy schedule, urging the couple to be more responsible.
"Yes, the maid is wrong, but doctor, you enabled this by giving her the opportunity. I have an autistic daughter, and I’ve never left her alone with anyone. My career and lifestyle revolve around her. No job or project is more important than my child’s safety," she commented.
In response to the backlash, Dr Say posted a video on Instagram, admitting his mistakes and outlining measures for better childcare arrangements in the future.
"I am aware that many out there are criticising me for leaving my children with a helper, especially after the incident in July where the helper allowed the men into my home.
"I acknowledge your criticisms, advice and reprimands. I admit I was foolish for trusting others so easily. I should have terminated the Filipino maid's employment immediately after the incident, but I kept her, thinking she was a victim of circumstances,” he said.
Dr Say revealed that the maid’s employment had since been terminated and she was returned to the agency. He also shared the valuable lessons he had learned from the ordeal.
"From now on, whenever my wife and I travel for work or vacations, we will bring our children along or, in the worst-case scenario, leave them at a family member’s home with our helper.
"I take full responsibility for these issues, which stem from my own negligence. I don’t consider myself better than others and will take these criticisms as a valuable lesson,” he said.