'Sodomy is now an epidemic but our minister is only interested in Halal certificates' - Zaid Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM - Former law minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim has slammed the Religious Affairs Minister for failing to address the urgent issue of child abuse in religious and Tahfiz schools.

While young boys across the country are suffering from trauma and abuse, including recent sodomy cases, Zaid claimed that the minister remains preoccupied with Halal certificates.

In a post on X, Zaid called for a shift in focus, urging the minister to take immediate action to safeguard these vulnerable children.

“Sodomy is now an epidemic. Young boys are traumatised and abused all over the country.

“Yet our Minister of Religious Affairs is only interested in Halal certificates,” read the post.

Following this, Zaid outlined three critical steps the minister should take.

First, he suggested that Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) assign detectives or officers to monitor all religious and Tahfiz schools, similar to how the Khalwat brigade oversees cases of immoral conduct.

He stressed the need for greater oversight of boys under the care of religious teachers.

Second, Zaid recommended that a portion of Jakim's substantial RM1.5 billion budget be redirected to combat the abuse epidemic.

He urged a more proactive approach, calling for public awareness campaigns through media channels and statements from government figures.

Third, Zaid criticised the current emphasis on recounting religious stories and urged for a comprehensive educational campaign to raise awareness about the serious consequences of abuse.

He specifically called out the Syariah courts for their lack of prosecution in sodomy cases.

“Syariah courts must step up prosecution of cases of sodomy on young boys by using the Law of Evidence and not depend on four male witnesses.

“How many sodomy cases have they started to prosecute? None,” he said.

Zaid also urged the relevant authorities to act swiftly to protect the young boys at the Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holding (GISBH) homes.

He cited numerous instances of child abuse, including sodomy, reported in recent years across Malaysia.

He also called on politicians who focus solely on expanding the authority of Syariah courts, accusing them of neglecting efforts to curb crime.

“Parents must be told to be selective in selecting the religious or Tahfiz schools they wish to send their sons.

“Not all men who teach religion are good. Protect our young boys and not just think of getting to heaven,” Zaid said.

He added that while Jakim’s functions and scope of responsibilities, as outlined on their website, were impressive, Muslims now expect them to take meaningful action.

The same expectation, he added, applies to the Minister as well.

On Sept 11, the police initiated Operation Global, leading to the rescue of 402 children from 20 shelters in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan affiliated with GISBH.

This operation aimed to investigate allegations that the organisation exploited children under the guise of religious activities.

In response to these concerns, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has directed the police to carry out a swift and comprehensive investigation into the alleged criminal conduct and child abuse associated with GISBH.