Several quarters have criticised the media over the extensive publicity and 'sensationalised' reporting regarding three-year-old Singaporean toddler Yeo Ming Hong who was found abandoned at a bus stop in Johor Baru last week.

All-Women's Action Society manager S Manohari questioned the real motive behind these reports, especially those on the mother who was detained by Singaporean officials at the immigration checkpoint an hour after the boy was found for alleged possession of controlled drugs and forged documents.

"By sensationalising the woman's background, the media is giving the impression that she is not fit to be a mother," she told malaysiakini recently.

"The media plays an important role in shaping people's mind and helping them make judgements. The woman has not been tried in court but she is already on trial in the newspapers," she added.

The woman, Flora Eyu Shuet Mei, is currently warded at the Alexandria hospital in Singapore for observation.

Meanwhile, the boy's father, Yeo Teck Kwang, has since last year been detained in a Johor prison for drug trafficking.

Ming Hong is presently under the care of a child's protection centre in Johor Baru. His background, and that of his parents, have been widely reported in all the dailies.

Exercise restraint

Meanwhile, an officer with the National Unity and Social Development Ministry said the media should exercise some restraint since it involves a minor who is incapable of defending himself.

The officer, who declined to be named, said the Child Protection Act 2001, protects the interest of the child from public exposure.

"Even photographs of the child should not be published. The newspaper reports have gone even further by exposing the child's background.

"We were discussing it in the ministry today but I am uncertain if we are going to make a statement on this matter," said the officer.

Expressing concern for the boy, Keadilan Penang deputy chief Cheah Kah Peng said the media was "sensationalising" and "commercialising" the issue without considering the toddler's welfare.

The lawyer-cum-politician said it was unthinkable the kind of damage such cheap sensationalism can do to the child's life and urged the media to stop highlighting the boy's unfortunate background.

"Ming Hong has already been through so much for someone at such a tender age. He doesn't need to be reminded of his past and his family's alleged criminal activities when he grows up," he said.

"His future is at stake here but the media and government officials are treating this story as if it is the scoop of the century ," he lamented.

Great responsibility

Cheah also called upon the media to exercise restraint when reporting on issues involving children.

"Press freedom comes with great responsibility and to a certain extent restraint especially when the lives of the minors or children are in danger," he said.

He was responding particularly to a report in The Star last week with the headline, "Ming Hong's mum ex-wife of trafficker".

The report further delved into Ming Hong's mum's past marriage history and that of her ex-husband who was hanged for drug trafficking.

"It is not enough that the whole world knows about the child's parental background, now we are told in juicy bits and pieces about his mother, her past marriage and past drug offences," he said.

Cheah urged the social welfare department to see to his psychological and physical care and protection instead of exposing his sufferings.

He pointed out if the child is registered with the department, any person who publicly furnishes details other than those permitted may be guilty of a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

The boy is expected to be handed over to the Singaporean authorities next week, who will then make a decision on the boy's future.

Ming Hong's grandparents and uncle have separately claimed for the custody of the child.