Three Charged in Seremban Court for Child Sodomy
By Loshinniy Nair S.Baskaran,
On September 19, 2024, three young men, aged between 20 and 22, appeared in the Seremban Sessions Court to face charges of child sodomy. The accused were employees of a madrasah linked to GISB Holdings in Kuala Pilah and are charged under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Their arrest came during Op Global, a police operation that resulted in the rescue of 402 children from welfare homes linked to GISB Holdings. The rescued children, aged 1 to 17, are now in protective custody, while investigations continue into the alleged child exploitation.
The suspects face 14 counts of child sodomy, highlighting concerns about the oversight of GISB-linked welfare homes and the well-being of the children under their care. The case has garnered significant public attention, with growing calls for stricter regulations and more robust child protection measures within welfare institutions. Authorities are also investigating potential governance failures at GISB Holdings, raising questions about the broader system of child welfare management in Malaysia
The court proceedings will determine whether the accused are eligible for bail, though prosecutors are expected to argue against it due to the severity of the offenses. This case could have far-reaching implications for how Malaysia handles child protection in religious institutions and other welfare homes.
As the investigation deepens, the children rescued during the operation are being provided with necessary care and assessment to ensure their well-being. The case has sparked a nationwide conversation about the treatment of minors in welfare homes, and it is expected to lead to increased scrutiny and reforms in the sector, as stated in The Star.
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