PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is tracing the families of 18 children recently rescued from the Rainbow Home in Cheras, Selangor.
The ministry said in a statement on Monday (Apr 14) that this follows the issuance of a temporary closure notice due to serious welfare violations at the centre.
The ministry seeks to reunite the children with their relatives through the Social Welfare Department.
"We are committed to ensuring these children are safely reunited with their families," it said.
The children, comprising 12 boys and six girls and suspected to be victims of abuse, were taken to Kajang Hospital for health examinations.
"They have been referred to a psychologist or counsellor for an initial assessment of their psychological state."
It also said that an interim order under the Child Act 2001 has been sought in the Children’s Court, and social reports and the children’s health examination reports would also be presented there.
"The children have been temporarily placed in an alternative children's care home.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to protect these children," it added.
The relatives of the rescued children can contact the Hulu Langat District Social Welfare Office at 03-8739 5070 or visit the office at Lot 2-58, Kajang Hentian Complex, Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.
On Friday (Apr 11), the ministry said it had conducted an inspection and ordered the immediate closure of the Rainbow Home in Cheras following serious violations regarding the welfare of children at the premises.
It also said that two caretakers from the centre were summoned to the Kajang police headquarters for further action.
Previously, the media reported that an elderly couple, who were the owners and caretakers of a private children's shelter in Batu 9, Cheras, were arrested on suspicion of abusing the residents of the premises.
Kajang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Naazron Abdul Yusof, said the couple, aged 66 and 68, was arrested at around 3.20pm.
