MIXED REACTION TO CLASSIFYING BABY DUMPING AS MURDER

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet's decision to classify as
murder the cases of baby dumping where the infants die has been welcomed by two
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) but a third has called for a study on the
proposal.

The Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) and the Muslim Lawyers
Association of Malaysia (PPMM) feel that the harsher penalty would curb baby
dumping.

PGSM president Mohamad Isa Abd Ralip said the time had come for firmer
action to prevent the negative behaviour from becoming widespread because such
cases were serious and worrying.

"Even if an individual does not have the intention to commit murder, the act
of dumping a baby and leaving it to die is tantamount to just that and, as such,
the penalty is appropriate," he told Bernama.

On Thursday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat
Abdul Jalil said the Cabinet had decided that the police should investigate as
murder those cases of baby dumping where the infants die.

PPMM deputy president Muhamad Burok said the severe penalty would help
reduce the number of baby-dumping cases but called for caution in its
implementation.

"With the new penalty, baby dumping will become a serious case. There should
be sufficient investigation and evidence as there will be greater pressure in
terms of the burden of proof.

"For example, we have to verify whether the individual dumps a baby or a
body. Usually, in such cases, the baby is born dead, and the individual decides
to dump the body. In such cases, the individual cannot be charged for murder,"
he said.

However, the National Parent-Teacher Association Consultative Council feels
that the proposal for the heavier penalty should be studied further.

Its president, Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Ali Hassan, said there
was no guarantee that the death penalty would help curb baby dumping.

"The penalty for drug offences is heavy but people continue to be involved
in drug trafficking," he said.

He said it would be preferable for preventive measures to be implemented in
tandem with the harsher penalty.

Measures such as censoring Internet content, constant monitoring at massage
parlours and control of the open sale of condoms should be considered seriously
to check sexual activities, he said.

"It may not be possible to wipe out the menace completely but at least it
could be prevented from becoming widespread," he added.
-- BERNAMA