SHAH ALAM – Actress Betty Banafe has urged relevant government institutions to strengthen and expedite enforcement against individuals who lodge false reports through Talian Kasih, saying current penalties and mechanisms are insufficient to deter misuse of the system.
Responding to a question from Sinar Daily on enforcement in high-conflict family disputes, the 46-year-old acknowledged that while Talian Kasih serves as an important support channel, it remains vulnerable to abuse if safeguards are not strong enough.
She raised concerns over the possibility of false reports being submitted and the lack of accountability for those responsible.
“What if Talian Kasih reports are fake? Does the government take action against people who make false reports?” she said.
Betty suggested that weak enforcement could impede the credibility of the system and potentially divert attention and resources away from genuine cases that require urgent assistance.
She also highlighted that one of the key challenges lies in proving whether a report is false, making enforcement difficult in practice.
“It is very difficult to prove that something is false,” she said, adding that this creates a gap that may be exploited if not properly addressed.
Betty further described existing penalties as insufficient to discourage misuse, saying that they do not appear to have a strong deterrent effect.
“Even enforcing the penalty is already difficult,” she said.
Talian Kasih is a government-supported helpline that allows the public to lodge complaints related to social welfare issues, including domestic problems and abuse cases.
Betty’s comments highlight concerns over how such systems can be safeguarded from misuse while ensuring they remain accessible to those in need.