In a harrowing development, Malaysian authorities have rescued 402 children from 18 religious care homes amidst disturbing allegations of abuse.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, led to the arrest of 171 suspects across Selangor and Negeri Sembilan states.
Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
According to Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain, the rescued children, aged between one and 17, faced severe mistreatment.
Reports reveal that some children were allegedly forced into inappropriate acts with each other, while others suffered physical punishment using hot spoons.
Inspector-General Husain described a chilling scenario where some suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 64, reportedly touched minors under the guise of religious treatment.
Additionally, the children were subjected to harsh punishments with heated metal objects, and those falling ill were denied medical attention until their conditions became critical.
Conditions at the Care Homes
Husain shared that in some cases, young children as young as five were burned with hot spoons for minor infractions.
Caretakers also allegedly conducted inappropriate ‘medical checks’ on the children.
The mistreatment extended beyond physical abuse, with the facilities exploiting both the children and religious sentiments to garner sympathy and donations from the public.
Current Status of the Rescued Children
Following their rescue, the children are now temporarily housed at a police center in Kuala Lumpur, where they will undergo crucial health checks over the next two weeks.
Preliminary investigations indicate that many of these children were not orphans but had been placed in the care homes by their parents for religious education.
Ties to Islamic Global Ikhwan Group
The care homes are reportedly linked to the Islamic Global Ikhwan Group (GISB), which has denied any involvement in the abuse.
The group claims it is committed to operating within the law and supporting the country’s development.
The police have linked this case to an earlier report of child exploitation at a facility in Port Dickson, which led to six arrests.
Ongoing Investigations and Reactions
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay revealed that the GISB’s operations are under scrutiny for allegedly using care homes to collect donations.
The group has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The Global Ikhwan Group, known for its extensive business interests worldwide, including in food and beverage, media, medical, and travel sectors, maintains its innocence.
Call for Reform
In response to these appalling revelations, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has called for stricter regulations and better oversight of care homes.
Children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki emphasized the need for enhanced monitoring and community vigilance to prevent such abuses.
The rescue operation has brought to light the urgent need for reform in the regulation and supervision of care facilities.
Out of the 402 children rescued, 201 were girls and 201 were boys, with some of the arrested suspects including a teacher and dorm caretakers.
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