Malaysian police rescued 402 minors from 20 care homes after receiving abuse allegations. The victims, aged one to 17, suffered physical and sexual abuse.
Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain said suspects, including religious teachers and caretakers, used religion to justify abuse. They claimed physical contact was part of a religious treatment, but this was a lie.
Police launched raids across two states after reports of child exploitation and sexual abuse surfaced. They arrested 171 suspects, aged 17 to 64.
Parents placed many children in these homes for religious education, investigators found. The case links to the Islamic Global Ikhwan Group (GISB), a business group with hundreds of businesses.
GISB denied allegations, stating they don’t condone illegal activities, especially child exploitation. But Deputy Inspector-General Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said GISB sets up welfare homes to collect donations.
Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission calls for stricter regulations in welfare homes. Commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki says the community must be more alert to address this issue.
The rescued children will receive medical attention and counseling. Authorities will also investigate how these care homes operated undetected for so long. The public is outraged, demanding justice for the victims and accountability from those responsible. This case highlights the need for increased oversight and protection for vulnerable children in Malaysia.
The government has promised to take action, and lawmakers are pushing for new legislation to prevent similar cases. The incident has sparked a national conversation about child safety and the need for greater transparency in welfare homes.
