Good samaritans save child left in locked, hot car
25 Aug 2023 05:47pm
Under the Malaysia Law, child negligence can be charged under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) - FILE PIX
The video of the distressing scene, uploaded by Arif Ijat garnered the attention of concerned individuals who expressed their exasperation and dismay towards the parents or guardians responsible for leaving an innocent young child alone on the vehicle.
According to reports, the young boy was left inside the vehicle by an adult, who had turned off the engine and left the front window slightly open.
What particularly struck a chord with Arif, was the fact that the child had been left alone in such scorching weather conditions.
"Take a look at this, I came across it earlier. A child sobbing in the car, drenched in sweat and turning pale due to the heat.
"And to top it off, the engine is switched off, with just a crack in the front window for ventilation.
"What kind of reasoning is behind leaving a defenseless child alone in a car during such intense heat?" Arif had written alongside the video he had uploaded.
In a subsequent post, Arif revealed that he waited anxiously for nearly 40 minutes, hoping that the owner of the vehicle would return.
However, his patience went unrewarded.
As a result, he decided to solicit assistance from a concerned passerby who happened to be in the vicinity.
Driven by the dire circumstances, Arif took the brave step of breaking the car window to rescue the trapped child.
"For approximately 40 minutes, I was there waiting, yet neither parent appeared.
"Consequently, I sought help from those around me. I can now provide an update that the child is safe.
"We managed to shatter the window and swiftly took the child to a nearby clinic."
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and responsible caregiving, especially in situations where a child's safety and well-being are at stake.
Under the Malaysia Law, child negligence can be charged under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).
Under this section, it is an offence for anyone responsible for the care of a child to "abandon, neglect or expose the said child to danger so as to cause him/her physical or emotional injury." If convicted, the offender can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for up to 20 years or both.
