We are utterly disappointed with the inaction of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in finalising toy safety regulations. With the Christmas season and other festivities just around the corner, children would anticipate gifts of toys from their parents and loved ones.

It is beyond comprehension how fast the bill regarding the Election Commission recently went through Parliament while an administrative tool like a regulation, which needs only to be approved by the minister, is taking about five years to be implemented. Despite the urgency of the issue and lead being a proven health risk to children, the ministry did not execute its obligations and responsibilities towards consumers.

We have very low confidence towards the public healthcare system following the statement made by the health minister recently in response to the negligence and baby Yok Shan’s loss of arm. As such, we are not hoping that the Health Ministry would even look into screening children for lead content in their blood. Such data would provide further insight which will leave us with no choice other than to ban lead altogether in fuel, household paints, ceramic ware and others.

We insist that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs immediately carry out tests on toys and issue an immediate recall of toys violating the lead limit. Instead of hiding behind “feel good” statistics, the Health Ministry should order all healthcare facilities, both private and public including emergency centre staff, to record all injuries, emergency cases and treatments administered due to household accidents. This should including cases caused by toys and food poisoning.

We hope both these ministries, with policies to improve Malaysians’ quality of lives, will not themselves in one way or another become a threat to the well-being of the people.

The writer is director, Malaysian Association of Standards Users.