Give the authorities space to investigate

KLUANG: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called on all parties to remain calm and allow authorities to investigate the case of child exploitation by a local company.

Saifuddin Nasution said the investigation and screening process took quite some time as many parties were involved, including the police, psychologists, counselors and medical officials, before action could be taken.

“Let us finish one by one first. Let the police finish the main cases and the next step will be announced when the time is right, because when the police take action it is based on the four statutory grounds under the Children’s Act, sexual offences and so on… so let the case be finished.

“(Moreover) when it comes to commercial premises, there are local authorities (PBT) and other regulatory bodies. So the investigation is not yet completed (and) we cannot prejudge. Give the police the opportunity to complete (the investigation) first,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution was responding to a question on whether the government will take action against the company’s premises that have been linked to child exploitation. He was received at the Malaysia Inspiration Programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Aris Bendahara today.

In addition, Saifuddin Nasution said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reminded him that the matter should be left entirely to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

“In the cabinet meeting, the prime minister said leave it to the inspector general. That is his specialty, you just report to the cabinet. So IGP, discharge your responsibilities with confidence, professionalism (and) do not mistreat people. (If) there is compelling evidence, take legal action to the court. That is what the prime minister has ordered,” he said.

Meanwhile, Razarudin, when met during the same programme, said that the health check process for the concerned children placed in the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) is expected to take at least 10 days.

That’s because screening of children between the ages of one and 17 is done physically and mentally, based on the growth of the children involved, he said.

“About 50 doctors are helping us in conducting the screening and at the same time the Ministry of Social Affairs (JKM) has also helped with about 50 of their officials,” he said.

On Wednesday, police launched Op Global and rescued 402 children from 20 shelters affiliated with a company around Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

Police reported today that health checks on the thirteen children involved revealed that they were probably sexually abused.