KOTA KINABALU, July 6 -- State Women, Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki has urged parents to send their children to registered childcare centres to safeguard their safety and wellbeing, while highlighting the need to expand childcare capacity in Sabah.

She said 95 unregistered childcare centres have been identified in the state, with some currently awaiting approval from local authorities after applying for registration, adding that registered centres are subject to monitoring and enforcement that provide an added layer of protection.

Julita said child abuse can occur anywhere, including at home, and called for efforts to identify its root causes and strengthen preventive measures, while warning that unregiste...