Police rescue 402 minors from nursing homes after allegations of abuse

Malaysian police have rescued 402 children and teenagers believed to have been physically and sexually abused, who are located in 20 nursing homes.

The victims, aged between one and 17, were said to have been subjected to various forms of abuse, with some being forced to perform sexual acts on other children, police inspector general Razarudin Husain said at a press conference.

Police have arrested 171 suspects, including religious teachers and caregivers.

The nursing homes are said to have ties to a leading Islamic conglomerate, which in a statement denied any wrongdoing.

Police on Wednesday raided 20 nursing homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan states, following reports earlier this month of child exploitation, sexual assault and sexual abuse at another facility in Negeri Sembilan state.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Insp Razarudin told reporters that some of the suspects – aged between 17 and 64 – allegedly touched the children, claiming it was part of a religious treatment. Some of the children were also allegedly taught to perform similar sexual acts on other children in the home.

Children were also “punished using heated metal objects” and the sick were not allowed to seek medical attention until their condition became critical, he added.

The children are being temporarily housed at a police centre in the capital Kuala Lumpur and will undergo a health check, Inspector Razarudin said.

Initial investigations have shown that many children were placed in these homes by their parents so that they could receive religious education, state news agency Bernama said. —BBC