GISBH: Cabinet to discuss future of rescued children next week

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will discuss the future of 572 foster children rescued from charity homes linked to Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).

Its minister, Nancy Shukri, stated that the issue also involves other ministries.

“They are in different (safehouses), safe and sound. It’s just that, what’s next?

“So, we are going to put forward in our cabinet meeting with regards to what’s next on our action because it is not just for us to plan.

“It also involves other ministries as well, like education, the Islamic Development Department, and even the police,” she told reporters at an event in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, today.

She said her ministry will propose short-, medium-, and long-term plans regarding the children’s future.

Previously, it was reported that the Social Welfare Department had opened 11 safehouses for the 572 children rescued in Ops Global.

Ministry needs two months 

Elaborating, Nancy indicated the ministry needs advice from other agencies to prepare its proposal because it would take at least two months for the court to decide on the children.

“The thing is, we have to see the results of what the authorities are getting because, for some of them, the indoctrination has been quite deep into the children.

“They are also of different age groups, so we also need to be guided by the various authorities, especially experts in the (relevant) subject matters,” she said.

Nancy added that her ministry is working closely with the Health Ministry to assess their health and with the National Registration Department to verify their identities, as some of them lack documentation.

She also emphasised the importance of providing educational opportunities to the victims as soon as possible.

“So, these are the things we need to consider when we are making our plans for the future, and most likely, we will put our proposal by next week,” she added.

Responding to another question regarding cooperation between the ministry and the police in monitoring other welfare homes to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, Nancy requested that all parties allow the police to carry out their duties.

“Actually, the police are doing it, and then if it involves children, only then we will get involved,” she said.

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