KLANG: Of the 424 children rescued from Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) care centres, only 124 remain under the care of the Welfare Department, while the rest have been reunited with their parents.
Selangor Women’s Development and Social Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the children were returned to their families following investigations by the police and Welfare Department, and the submission of assessment reports from the Education and Health Departments.
She added that both able-bodied and disabled children under the age of six have also been sent back to their respective parents.
According to Anfaal, the 124 children still under the care of the Welfare Department are afflicted with various problems.
“Based on observation and examination, these children have educational and psychological issues,” she said.
The children will remain in the department’s interim care until next month, with a court hearing scheduled from Jan 21 to 24 to determine whether they will stay in the department’s care or be returned to their parents.
For the children who have already been returned to their families, Anfaal gave an assurance that periodic monitoring will be conducted by the department to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Last month, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari revealed that some of the children rescued from GISB care centres were suffering from stunted growth, learning problems, depression, anxiety and speech problems.
The children were rescued from 20 GISB care homes, mostly in Selangor and some in Negri Sembilan, in September when the authorities raided the organisation linked to the defunct Al-Arqam movement.
Meanwhile, Childline Foundation executive director Datin PH Wong praised the Welfare Department for doing a good job in caring for the troubled children.
“The Health Ministry has arranged for psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors to tend to the children, while those with severe issues are undergoing therapy.
“The Welfare Department has also arranged many things for the children, such as play activities, as some children simply need that to heal,” she said.
Wong said she was informed that the Education Ministry has also been involved in supporting the children’s educational needs.
As for those who were malnourished and undernourished, they are now being fed six times a day and have already gained weight and their health is improving, she noted.
“So, it is crucial for the courts to extend the time for the relevant ministries and agencies to continue their care for these children,” she said.
On those released to their families, Selangor executive councillor for Islamic affairs and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the families had met the required criteria to get their children back.
“A Children’s Court had convened and all the requirements for release met the legal requirements,” he said.
Mohammad Fahmi and Anfaal jointly chaired the special task force set up by the Selangor government to examine the required rehabilitation programmes for the children.
The children, he said, were returned to their parents and rightful guardians because their akidah (creed) has also been restored.
“Those were the key criteria,” he added.
