KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has proposed that the government establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate allegations of child exploitation by GlSB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).
Suhakam Children’s Commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said an RCI would enable a transparent and thorough investigation, including determining the root causes of how such exploitation of children occurred.
“We need to address these issues directly. How has this gone on for years, yet no one asked if these children went to school, if they were unwell, or how many caretakers were present at each centre?” she said when appearing as a guest on the Cikgu Undang-undang podcast.
The latest podcast, organised by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU), discusses current legal issues and institutional reforms.
It is hosted by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Besides Farah Nini, the first episode, aired yesterday, featured co-founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin.
Echoing Farah Nini’s sentiments, Hartini stressed the need for an RCI to explore the issue’s roots, stating that the real problem lay not in the law itself but in its flawed implementation.
“I believe in an RCI. We need to go to the root because child issues are the responsibility of many agencies,” she said.
Meanwhile, Azalina suggested that the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) move aggressively to draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the care of children associated with GISBH.
“Sometimes I feel that these children are voiceless. I would also take the opportunity after this whole district session to gather all the non-governmental organisations for children and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for a session with MPs.”
Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 55 children rescued under Op Global, involving GISBH, have been returned to their qualified guardians as of today.
She said the matter was implemented according to the law and after obtaining a court order.
“We must adhere to the court’s directive. We obtained custody of the children following court procedures, which allowed the children to be placed under the Social Welfare Department (JKM). Subsequently, to release the children, we also need to seek court approval.
“JKM’s role is not to separate children from their parents; rather, our responsibility is to protect and care for the children,” she said a press conference after officiating the National Conference on Ageing 2024, today.
Currently, a total of 560 children — 283 boys and 277 girls — are housed in government shelters after JKM secured a temporary custody order from the court for two months, under Section 25(2)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
Since Op Global Phase 1 began, in early September, a total of 415 individuals, including top management from GISBH, have been arrested, and 625 victims aged between two months and 28 years have been rescued by the police.
— Bernama
