FORMER law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said recent reports of sodomy cases involving students at religious schools could be just the tip of the iceberg and only a small part of the 'horror story'.
In a post on X today, he said there was an urgent need to intensify efforts to stem sexual abuse of young boys in the country.
"Sodomy is now an epidemic. Young boys are traumatised and abused all over the country. The King has spoken. Act quickly to save the young boys at the GISHB homes," he said.
He was referring to Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISBH) after raids were conducted by the police on 20 welfare homes allegedly linked to the group.
Zaid suggested stationing “detectives or officers” from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in all religious and tahfiz schools similar to the modus operandi in monitoring “khalwat” (close proximity) cases.
"Jakim should also spend some of the RM1.5 billion allocated to it to curb the sodomy epidemic by telling Muslims that Islam views the offence seriously," he said.
Zaid said Shariah Courts must also step up prosecution of cases of sodomy on young boys by using the Law of Evidence and not depend on four male witnesses.
"How many sodomy cases have they started to prosecute? None," he said, adding politicians entrusted to protect the honour and dignity of Islam must act before it's too late.
He added that parents too must be told to be selective in selecting the religious tahfiz schools they wish to send their sons as not all men who teach religion are good.
“Not all men who teach religion are good. Protect our young boys and not just think of getting to heaven,” he added. - September 18, 2024
