Parents, guardians exploiting children can lose custody rights: Rohani

ALOR STAR: Parents and guardians who exploit their children for self-interest such as seeking revenge can lose their custody rights, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
She said her ministry could hand over the custody rights to the closest family members and if nobody qualifies, the child will be under the custody of the Social Welfare Department.
"This provided for in the Child Act 2001, similarly if the parents are emotionally incapacitated (custody rights will be taken away). However, we need to investigate and look at many aspects before deciding anything," she told reporters after a walkabout at the 1Malaysia Women's Bazaar in Lorong Sempit, here today.
Also present was State Women's Development, Social Welfare, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Development and Entrepreneur Committee chairman, Datuk Suraya Yaacob.
Rohani was commenting on the video clip of which went viral on social media recently showing a three-year-old boy who was in a weak state and believed to be intoxicated on syabu.
On Wednesday, the 27-year-old mother of the toddler surrendered to police and she told the police that her son was not given drugs and the actual aim of the video was to annoy her ex-husband.
Rohani said her ministry is still waiting for a full investigation from police and if the mother of the toddler has been proven to be unqualified to care for her son, further action will be taken.
On another matter, she said the ministry is willing to offer counselling to the families of the two Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) pilots who perished after the Hawk 108 fighter jet they were training in, crashed in a swampy area in a forest in Chukai, Terengganu yesterday.
"However, we know they (the Malaysian Armed Forces) have their own counselling division, but we are willing to serve if needed," she said.
She also expressed condolences to the victims' families. — Bernama