Parliament: Castrate Fathers Of Abandoned Babies Proposes A Senator

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Expressing anger and regret over an increase in the number of abandoned child cases, a senator has proposed for men (fathers) responsible for causing babies to be abandoned, to be castrated.

Senator Ahmad Hussin said such punishment would teach them (fathers) a lesson, so that they would become responsible fathers in future because many irresponsible men are involved in negative habits, like drug-addiction, rape, etc.

"Nowadays, the number of abandoned child cases has increased and the fathers who contributed to the rising number of abandoned babies have managed to escape punishment or go missing, so such punishment will be appropriate," he told the Dewan Negara during a question and answer session here on Thursday.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil meanwhile, said the proposal would have to be studied first since not all fathers are responsible for abandoning their child.

She added that such incidents can be avoided if families were more responsible in educating their loved ones and parents show enough love to their children.

"We must find out and curb reasons as to why cases of abandoned babies continue to happen. We need to improve the quality of the family institution. Problems can arise when parents don't provide quality time to their children," she said.

Shahrizat had earlier told Senator Datuk Seri Empiang Jabu that cases of abandoned babies was rampant because unwed women sometimes fell pray to irresponsible men, get pregnant, but are afraid and ashamed to face their families.

"Since the 'fathers' don't want to be responsible for the babies, they decide to absolve themselves by leaving them, causing their spouses to lose hope, and some women then decide to abandon their babies," she added.

Shahrizat said 407 cases of abandoned babies in the country were reported to the police from 2005 to 2009.

She added that abandoned babies, sent to care centres operated by the Welfare Services Department, would be given proper care and attention under trained officers.

Steps are also being taken to provide counseling and guidance for youths who are exposed to moral decay, she said.

-- BERNAMA