By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — The state’s special task force formed to assist children rescued from shelters operated by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding Sdn Bhd (GISBH) aims to ensure their welfare is taken care of even after the six-month rehabilitation period is over.
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State executive councillor for Islamic affairs and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah delivers his speech during the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative award ceremony by the United Nations Children's Fund to the Petaling Jaya City Council, at the Royale Chulan Hotel in Damansara on October 13, 2023. Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
State executive for Islamic affairs and cultural innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah and state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari, who will jointly chair the task force, said the team will focus on rehabilitation methods, addressing not only issues of aqidah but also welfare, health, and mental-physical development.
“This is to ensure that the children are fully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, even after the official six-month recovery period,” they said in a joint statement today.
The special task force is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Friday (October 11).
Fahmi and Anfaal said the task force was set up to develop a specialised rehabilitation programme for the rescued children.
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State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari speaks during an interview with Media Selangor at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building, Shah Alam, on June 28, 2024. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
The proposal for its establishment received the approval of the Selangor State Executive Council on Wednesday (October 2).
In the initial phase, the task force will comprise representatives from the Royal Malaysia Police, the Social Welfare Department, the Selangor Education Department, the Selangor Zakat Board, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, the MBI Foundation, Yayasan Selgate, as well as child psychology and education experts.
On September 11, police raided 20 GISBH premises in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on suspicion the group was involved in offences including human trafficking.
In the operation, 402 children aged between one and 17 were rescued, believed to be victims of exploitation, neglect, and abuse.
Multiple other raids have since been conducted, with hundreds of people arrested to assist in the probe.
