By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Sept 30 — The Selangor government wants to establish a special task force to assist children rescued from welfare homes operated by GISB Holdings (GISBH), said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the team, which will include representatives from social welfare and Islamic authorities, will guide the children who are currently placed in temporary shelters across the state.
“We will form an action unit comprising two major departments, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Social Welfare Department (JKM), to address, control and help rehabilitate these children.
“We will ensure they return to the mainstream, focusing on proper education and employment, and no longer live in isolation,” he said after visiting a shelter housing children who were rescued from GISBH homes during a special operation on September 10, dubbed Op Global.
Amirudin spent over an hour listening to a briefing delivered by JKM deputy director-general of operations Wan Noraidah Wan Mohd Zain and Selangor JKM director Azmir Kassim.
Also present were Jais director Datuk Shahzihan Ahmad, Media Selangor Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohamed Fareed Mohamed Ashaaree, and Yayasan Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) chief Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor.
Amirudin said the state government will provide support for the rescued children, including religious teachers, volunteers and healthcare workers, through a short-term plan set to be implemented soon.
He noted that the affected children have basic educational knowledge but were indoctrinated to support the ideologies and strengthen GISBH’s global network.
“This effort must be comprehensive and involve all parties. That’s why this task force is essential to assess each aspect, including their citizenship, emotions, beliefs, interests and worldview,” he said.
On September 10, police raided 20 GISBH premises in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on suspicion the group was involved in offences including human trafficking.
In the operation, 402 children aged between one and 17 were rescued, believed to be victims of exploitation, neglect and abuse.
Hundreds of people have since been arrested to assist in the probe.
