BALING, April 1 – The tragic discovery of four-year-old Mohamad Fayyad Affan’s lifeless body in Sungai Ketil has sparked urgent discussions on child safety and parental supervision. The CCTV footage revealed that the autistic child had wandered away from his home alone, raising serious concerns: Was this an unfortunate accident, or does it indicate negligence?
Baling police chief Supt Azmi Mokhtar confirmed that the child’s body was found 500 meters downstream from where he was believed to have fallen into the river. While authorities have classified the case as a drowning, the key question remains: How did a vulnerable child manage to leave home unsupervised?
Key Questions That Demand Answers:
1. Parental Responsibility – Was the child left unattended for an extended period? If so, why?
2. Environmental Risks – Was there a lack of safety measures around the river near the JPS Quarters?
3. Community Alert System – Did anyone notice the child wandering alone? Could earlier intervention have saved him?
4. Legal Implications – Should authorities consider charging the guardians under child endangerment laws, or was this purely an unfortunate tragedy?
What Should Supt Azmi Mokhtar Do?
Given the circumstances, the investigation must go beyond labeling this case as an accident. Authorities should take the following steps:
1. Conduct a Thorough Investigation
Examine the circumstances leading to the child’s disappearance and whether negligence played a role.
Review the family’s background, including any history of similar incidents.
2. Strengthen Community Awareness
Encourage neighbors and local communities to alert authorities when children are seen wandering alone.
Implement a neighborhood safety network to prevent future incidents.
3. Educate Parents of Special-Needs Children
Families with autistic children must be given proper education on home safety measures, including secured gates and child-proof locks.
Authorities should collaborate with autism awareness groups to promote better child supervision.
4. Review Legal Implications
If negligence is proven, appropriate legal action must be taken to ensure accountability.
Authorities should consider whether child endangerment laws need stricter enforcement.
Lessons for Society: How to Prevent Future Tragedies
While the police have efficiently managed the recovery and post-mortem process, a deeper investigation is necessary to prevent such incidents from happening again. This case serves as a reminder that children—especially those with special needs—require constant supervision and enhanced safety measures to prevent fatal accidents.
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