Dear Editor, LAST year, Malaysia was shocked by Nurin Jazlin Jazimin’s death after her month-long disappearance.

Earlier this year, five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar was reported missing. The latest unsolved missing child case is that of Mohd Asmawi Jalaludin. Following these incidents, the Malaysian Crime Preventive F o u nda t io n ’s vice-president, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, suggested that the Education Ministry introduce a programme teach- ing children basic safety rules. It seems that we only take action once something has happened. Although it is late, the suggestion is good. Children should be wary of strangers as they trust them easily, especially when given things they are attracted to. This safety programme should start in kindergarten as young children are a smart lot. Teaching them about safety should continue all through primary school. Early exposure will, hopefully, help to reduce cases of missing children. Parents should be the first to teach their children how to guard themselves. It is also good to send children to self-defence classes. Children should also be taught about sexual harassment. All these things will help prevent another tragedy. We do not want to face another missing child case again. Izyan Ahmad Shah Alam

Source: Malay Mail – April 15, 2008