THE G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has supported calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to investigate the allegations of inhumane treatment of children living in GISB welfare homes and their teachings.
In a statement today, G25 said the RCI could assist in the investigations and also promote accountability and reforms which would improve how such matters are handled in the future.
"G25 wholeheartedly supports the call by the Malaysian Bar Council for an RCI to be set up to investigate the alarming allegations of the inhumane treatment of children living in the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) welfare homes and their teachings.
"An RCI will assist in the investigations and also promote accountability and reforms that will improve how such matters are handled in the future to avoid the delays we have seen in this case," it said.
The group also questioned the delay in rescuing children, some of whom were allegedly sexually abused, from welfare homes which authorities had linked to GISB.
Citing news reports, G25 said the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) director-general Hakimah Yusoff had said that action was against Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) in February 2019.
Hakimah had said Jakim had held closed-door meetings with GISBH, involving the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs’s (MKI) Muzakarah committee, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and a panel of Jakim experts.
He also said that in July 2022, a special meeting was held with national security agencies, including the police.
"So, if the police were already involved in February 2019, why was the closing of the GISB welfare homes and removal of the children not done sooner?
"We are shocked that it has been over five years since issues surrounding GISB have been known to the authorities without any move to shut them down,".
G25 said this raises serious questions about the systemic failures in our enforcement agencies that allowed for such abuses to persist and highlights a troubling delay in the execution and administration of justice in our country, especially with regard to the administration of religion.
"We once again call on the government to look into the administration of Islam in our country at a deeper level. Delays in execution and action just because of religious sensitivities leave room for neglect at the expense of the innocent.
"The impact of these incidents on the affected children is profound and long-lasting.
"The trauma they have experienced can severely affect their emotional and psychological development, potentially hindering their ability to lead fulfilling lives.
"It is imperative that we not only seek immediate justice but also ensure long-term support and rehabilitation for these children," added the group.
On Sept 11, the police raided 20 charity houses believed to belong to GISB in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan and arrested 171 individuals linked to various forms of exploitation among children.
Police revealed that a total of 402 individuals, 201 males and 201 females aged between one and 17 years old, were rescued in the operation. - September 23, 2024
