GISBH: Suhakam calls for RCI to probe child exploitation allegations

KUALA LUMPUR - The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has proposed that the government establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate allegations of child exploitation by GlSB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).

Suhakam Children’s Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said that an RCI would enable a transparent and thorough investigation, including determining the root causes of how such 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 while speaking as a guest on the Cikgu Undang-undang podcast.

The latest podcast, organised by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU), discusses current legal issues and institutional reforms.

It is hosted by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Besides Farah Nini, the first episode, aired yesterday, featured co-founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin.

Echoing Farah Nini’s sentiments, Hartini stressed the need for an RCI to explore the issue’s roots, stating that the real problem lay not in the law itself but in its 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 the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) move aggressively to draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) 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 Office of the Children’s Commissioner for a session with the Members of Parliament," Azalina added. - BERNAMA