The three children who were allegedly sold by their mother in Keningau.
KOTA KINABALU: A shocking case in Keningau, where a mother allegedly “sold” her three children for money due to hardship is clearly showing that the current government has failed to look after the welfare of the people.
Sabah PKR Youth leader Raymond Ahuar in a statement on Wednesday said in order to prevent more such cases from happening, it is better for the current government to step down and leave it to those who can take care of the people.
“I want to congratulate Keningau police and Welfare Department for rescuing three siblings who were nearly became victims of human trafficking.
“I have been informed that the children were sold by their mother due to the hardships of life because they did not have money after losing income due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“The eldest child was rescued near the Malaysia/Indonesia border by police and the Keningau Welfare Department. I was also informed that the mother had received a deposit for the second child but the buyer had not yet come forward to claim, while the third child was still waiting for buyer,” said Ahuar.
“I also condemn all forms of actions involving human trafficking. Despite the difficulties, the general public needs to know that human beings are not for sale. So I also want to urge a deeper investigation to be done to eradicate syndicates like this.
“This is the reality of life in the interior of Sabah. Many are economically affected either losing their jobs or their businesses going bankrupt.
“The same goes to farmers and gardeners who only earn income by selling crops. They are unable to market their produce due to the implementation of MCO. Lack of purchasing power is also one of the reasons,” he added.
The government, said Ahuar, needs to look at the impact of the implementation of Emergency and MCO on the people, as many people are desperate to survive.
“The current government has clearly failed to look after the welfare of the people. So in order to prevent more such cases from happening, it is better to step down and leave it to those who can take care of the people.
“Apart from such cases, the increase in divorce and suicide cases is also due to the government’s failure today to look after the welfare of the people,” he concluded.