Specialized care crucial for 402 children rescued from GISB-linked homes: NGO

KUALA LUMPUR – The Child Rights Coalition Malaysia (CRCM) is calling for specialised care for the 402 children rescued from shelters run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).

By ensuring that these minors receive appropriate care, we can guarantee that they receive quality medical and psychosocial care, rehabilitation and legal services, the organization said.

In addition, CRCM urged authorities to identify and blacklist healthcare centres currently run by GISBH, locally and in other jurisdictions.

“The Department of Child Development must conduct prompt and confidential investigations with the relevant child protectors, authorities or staff overseeing these shelters to identify the gaps and limitations in services provided that have led to the heinous crimes committed against these children,” CRCM said in a statement.

On Wednesday, police inspector Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said authorities had raided nursing homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan that were linked to GISBH.

After the 402 children were rescued from nursing homes, Razarudin’s investigation revealed that some of the rescued children had been sodomized and taught to do the same to other children. The sick children were not given medical treatment.

He also confirmed today that 172 of the 392 victims suspected of sexual exploitation have been screened and that 13 of them are suspected of being victims of sodomy.

Razarudin added that 159 of the 171 people arrested on Wednesday have been issued pre-trial detention orders, as the others are minors and do not require investigation.

Yesterday, the IGP said the rescued children are not orphans but their parents are members of the company.

The CRCM praised the swift response of the police and described the allegations of sexual abuse as an untenable violation of the fundamental rights of children to survival, development and protection, as protected under both national and international frameworks.

“The failure to provide for the welfare of such a large group of children in their care highlights the poor state of quality of care provided by many shelters and care centres in Malaysia, many of which are unlicensed and staffed by insufficient and untrained staff, including child protectors without relevant social work qualifications, expertise and experience,” CRCM added. – September 13, 2024

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