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Explain lighter charge for GISBH leaders, Suhakam urges AGC
Malaysia's human rights commission also asks the AGC to disclose the details of child abuse cases involving Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings
Last week, 22 senior leaders of GISBH were sentenced to 15 months in jail but released the same day as the court backdated their sentences. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s human rights commission today urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to explain the lighter charge offered to 22 senior leaders of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).
Suhakam said it was concerned by the lesser charge of being part of an unlawful organisation imposed on the 22, after the acceptance of their representations on their initial charge of being members of an organised crime group.
The commission said GISBH was at the centre of allegations of abuse, neglect, sexual assault and economic exploitation, while over 500 children had been rescued from welfare homes linked to the organisation.
It said GISBH’s leadership had failed to safeguard the welfare of children under its care and instead exposed them to exploitation and harm, in breach of its legal and moral obligations.
“Suhakam calls on the AGC to provide a clear, public explanation of its prosecutorial decisions and to disclose details of the cases related to alleged sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation, in order to uphold public confidence in the administration of justice.
“Where prosecutions have commenced, complainants and the affected children must be kept informed of the progress and next steps.
“As Malaysia is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Suhakam reminds (all parties) that national laws must be fully enforced to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation,” it said in a statement.
Suhakam also repeated its call for a royal commission of inquiry to probe the alleged abuses committed at GISBH welfare homes, and to look into the overall governance of welfare homes for children.
It urged the women, family and community development ministry and welfare department to review and bolster regulations governing all welfare and faith-based homes.
“Enforcement agencies must also ensure that investigations are conducted promptly, professionally, and with due sensitivity to child victims. Private children’s homes must be properly regulated and held accountable to care and protection standards,” it said.
Last week, 22 senior leaders of GISBH were each sentenced to a 15-month jail term. However, the court ordered for their imprisonment to run from the date of their arrests in 2024, enabling them to be released on the same day they were sentenced.
Some 560 children were rescued from welfare homes linked to GISBH last year, with 536 reunited with their families, 11 under the care of guardians, and 13 yet to be claimed as of January this year.
According to then inspector-general of police Razarudin Husain, investigations showed that at least 13 of the children were sodomised while some were also taught to sexually assault others.
Several individuals were later charged in court in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang with physically and sexually abusing children at welfare homes linked to GISBH.
A teacher at an education and welfare centre owned by GISBH was sentenced to 10 years in jail for physically abusing four children.
Suhakam said it was concerned by the lesser charge of being part of an unlawful organisation imposed on the 22, after the acceptance of their representations on their initial charge of being members of an organised crime group.
The commission said GISBH was at the centre of allegations of abuse, neglect, sexual assault and economic exploitation, while over 500 children had been rescued from welfare homes linked to the organisation.
It said GISBH’s leadership had failed to safeguard the welfare of children under its care and instead exposed them to exploitation and harm, in breach of its legal and moral obligations.
“Suhakam calls on the AGC to provide a clear, public explanation of its prosecutorial decisions and to disclose details of the cases related to alleged sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation, in order to uphold public confidence in the administration of justice.
“Where prosecutions have commenced, complainants and the affected children must be kept informed of the progress and next steps.
“As Malaysia is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Suhakam reminds (all parties) that national laws must be fully enforced to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation,” it said in a statement.
Suhakam also repeated its call for a royal commission of inquiry to probe the alleged abuses committed at GISBH welfare homes, and to look into the overall governance of welfare homes for children.
It urged the women, family and community development ministry and welfare department to review and bolster regulations governing all welfare and faith-based homes.
“Enforcement agencies must also ensure that investigations are conducted promptly, professionally, and with due sensitivity to child victims. Private children’s homes must be properly regulated and held accountable to care and protection standards,” it said.
Last week, 22 senior leaders of GISBH were each sentenced to a 15-month jail term. However, the court ordered for their imprisonment to run from the date of their arrests in 2024, enabling them to be released on the same day they were sentenced.
Some 560 children were rescued from welfare homes linked to GISBH last year, with 536 reunited with their families, 11 under the care of guardians, and 13 yet to be claimed as of January this year.
According to then inspector-general of police Razarudin Husain, investigations showed that at least 13 of the children were sodomised while some were also taught to sexually assault others.
Several individuals were later charged in court in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang with physically and sexually abusing children at welfare homes linked to GISBH.
A teacher at an education and welfare centre owned by GISBH was sentenced to 10 years in jail for physically abusing four children.
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