GISBH: Suhakam calls for RCI to probe alleged child exploitation

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has proposed that the government establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).

Suhakam’s children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said an RCI would enable a transparent and thorough investigation, to determine how such alleged exploitation of children occurred.

“We need to address these issues directly. How has this been going on for years, yet no one asks if these children are going to school, are they unwell, how many caretakers are at each centre?” she said.

Farah (above) was speaking on the “Cikgu undang-undang” podcast organised by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.

The podcast’s first episode, aired yesterday, was hosted by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said and featured Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Hartini Zainudin.

Echoing Farah’s sentiments, Hartini stressed the need for an RCI, saying the real problem was not in the law but in 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 Suhakam’s Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) move aggressively to draft standard operating procedures 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 OCC for a session with MPs,” she added.

- Bernama

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