KUALA LUMPUR – The Child Rights Coalition Malaysia (CRCM) is calling for specialised care to be provided to the 402 children rescued from welfare homes run by the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).
Ensuring that the right care is provided for these minors would guarantee they receive quality medical and psychosocial care, rehabilitation, and legal services, the organisation said.
Additionally, CRCM also urged authorities to identify and blacklist the care centres currently run by GISBH locally and in other jurisdictions.
“The Child Development Department should investigate swiftly and confidentially the relevant child protectors, authorities or staff assigned to monitor these shelter homes to assess the gaps and limitations in the services provided that resulted in the heinous crimes committed against these children,” CRCM said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that authorities raided welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan linked to GISBH.
After rescuing the 402 children from the welfare homes, Razarudin said investigations found that some of the rescued children were sodomised and taught to do the same to other children, while those who were sick were denied medical treatment.
He also confirmed today that 172 out of 392 victims suspected of sexual exploitation have been screened, and 13 of them are believed to be victims of sodomy.
Razarudin also added that 159 out of 171 individuals arrested on Wednesday have been issued remand orders, as the others are minors and do not require investigation.
Yesterday, the IGP said that rescued children are not orphans, but their parents are members of the company.
The CRCM, applauding the quick action of the police, also described the allegations of sexual abuse as an untenable breach of the fundamental rights of children to the survival, development and protection as protected under both national and international frameworks.
“The failure to provide for the well-being of such a large group of children in their care highlights the sad state of the quality of care provided by many shelter homes and care centres in Malaysia, many of which are unlicensed and manned by insufficient and untrained staff including child protectors without relevant social work qualifications, expertise and experience,” CRCM added. – September 13, 2024