{
  "id": 5753612,
  "title": "Fadhlina recounts ordeal of child abuse by caregiver, loss of another to SIDS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/fadhlina-recounts-ordeal-of-child-abuse-by-caregiver-loss-of-another",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T08:26:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1526234/fadhlina-recounts-ordeal-child-abuse-caregiver-loss-another-sids"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek recounted her own experiences with child abuse and loss while speaking at Himpunan Gala Pesona Kasih Madani. As a lawyer with a demanding schedule, her second child was abused by a caregiver who hit the child on the legs. Fadhlina emphasized the need for caregivers to demonstrate greater commitment, receive training, and understand their responsibility towards the community. She has six children, three of whom have been cared for by caregivers, highlighting the challenge of finding suitable childcare for working mothers. Tragically, her fourth child died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), leaving her traumatized and pondering whether to continue working or stay home with her children. Fadhlina credited her extended family, especially her siblings, for helping her cope while maintaining her work. She called for building a wider childcare ecosystem to ensure working mothers feel confident that their children are safe and well-cared for. Fadhlina supported expanding the Kasih Madani caregiver programme, aiming to strengthen child protection at the community level. She conveyed the program's importance to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and sought its inclusion in the upcoming Budget. Fadhlina stressed that child protection should extend beyond childcare centers to schools, involving everyone in the community in safeguarding children. She emphasized the role of trained caregivers, schools, policymakers, parents, and community organizations in protecting children. Over 230 caregivers from Penang and Kedah were honored at the event, showcasing their progress through training and professional development to enhance the quality of early childcare in their communities.",
  "summary": "BUTTERWORTH: Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said her personal experiences of child abuse and loss had strengthened her commitment to improving caregiver support for working mothers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Personal experience drives Fadhlina's push for better caregiver support for working mothers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/personal-experience-drives-fadhlinas-push-for-better-caregiver",
        "published": "2026-09-05T08:26:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}