WINNY HO

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Community Development why his Ministry allowed an abused child by the name of Winny Ho to be returned to her parents' care to be severely abused again after the parents apparently broke their original undertaking to ensure her safety.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: I share the Member's concern over the Winny Ho incident. I will be convening a Committee of Inquiry to investigate on the handling of the case by MCD, hospitals and the Police. The Committee will be chaired by a Permanent Secretary from another Ministry, and will include at least one member who is not a civil servant. I shall give a fuller answer on completion of this Inquiry.

In the meantime, I have reiterated my instruction to my officers that they should accord top priority on the safety of children in the management of child abuse cases. If in doubt, they should err on the cautious side in the protection of children.