Pas deputy president calls for decisive action after horrific child abuse scandal in charity homes

SHAH ALAM - Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man expresses hope that the issue on the recent discovery of a horrifying network of physical and sexual abuse which also involved children at charity homes will be effectively addressed and prevented.

Initially reluctant to comment on the matter due to ongoing investigation by the police, Tuan Ibrahim eventually shared his concerns when asked by reporters about the matter, particularly regarding the alleged lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) activities that were said to be happening in religious schools and welfare homes.

"I don’t want to discuss too much since the matter is still under police investigation. But, when the world seems to have given recognition to LGBT, it became a practice.

"It would be strange if such practices were to exist in religious schools but this is the reality. The world seems to be accepting LGBT, so how do we prevent school children (from such practices)? They might even do it when they grow up.

"The world has become distorted. So, this is why law enforcement and decisive action are needed," he said during a press conference on the opening night of the Pas 70th Muktamar (general assembly).

He expressed hope that such issues could be prevented.

He also urged all institutions, including schools and boarding facilities to strengthen Islamic education, faith and moral values.

"We leave it to the police to conduct their investigation and we hope that the findings will be shared with the public so we can understand what really happened," he added.

Yesterday, the police in an operation codenamed "Ops Global" raided charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan and uncovered a horrifying network of physical and sexual abuse, as well as abandonment.

The operation was carried out following a report lodged on Sept 2 regarding child neglect, sexual abuse and molestation at a charity home in Port Dickson.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said some of the 402 children who were rescued in raids on 20 welfare homes were subjected to severe neglect and abuse.

He said based on the intelligence received, the victims were exposed to sodomy before being sodomised by caretakers and then forced to sodomise other residents.

During the raids, authorities arrested 171 individuals, including teachers, dormitory supervisors and chairpersons, who were involved in the abuse.

The perpetrators had allegedly exploited the victims' vulnerabilities to solicit donations and sympathy from the public, among others.

It was also reported that Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB Holdings), a firm involved in various businesses denied exploiting children as workers.

The company's deputy director of administration Mokhtar Tajuddin yesterday said the allegations that it had been exploiting children were malicious slander aimed at putting the company in a negative light.

GISB Holdings, which operates globally, is preparing to meet with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to address claims related to its past association with the banned Al-Arqam sect.

The company, which has distanced itself from the sect, was believed to have been operating as a multinational corporation.