ABUSE OF CHILDREN CRUEL AND UNCIVILISED: MUSA

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), March 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Inspector-General
of Police Musa Hassan said the abuse of children is cruel, uncivilised and
cannot be allowed and ignored.

He said society should be concerned and be aware of situations to stem such
cases.

"Acts of stomping on kids is uncivilised and cruel. Neighbours see and hear
but do not inform the police.

"When we are told, we come to take action. Earlier times were different, not
as now where people do not want to get involved," he told reporters after a
dialogue session here Saturday.

Musa said this when commenting on the deaths of Syafia Humairah Sahari,
three, and 18-month-old toddler K. Haresvarren.

On Feb 26, Syafia died as a result of alleged abuse by the boyfriend of her
mother while Haresvarren died after he was believed to being stomped upon at a
playground on March 4.

Musa reminded people to not to be afraid to come forward to give
information on cases of abuse and gave assurance that their identities would be
kept confidential.

"I believe that in cases of child abuse there is more than one witness...but
they don't come forward," he said.

Meanwhile, Musa said the police were still awaiting approval from the
government to post narcotics liaison officers in seven major drug producing
countries.

He said the new initiative to station them in Malaysia's missions in those
countries was to collect information.

"By such placement, our police can share information and exchange ideas
with the enforcement agencies of those countries in efforts to prevent making
Malaysia a transit point for drugs," he said.
-- BERNAMA