Malaysia arrests 155 more suspects in child abuse probe, 19 minors rescued in Melaka

Suspected Child Abuse at Care Homes Linked to Muslim Conglomerate

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police have detained an additional 155 suspects as part of the investigation into alleged child abuse at care homes connected to a Muslim conglomerate.

Arrests and Rescues

A total of 77 women were among those arrested on Saturday (Sep 21) during raids on 82 welfare homes, clinics, and businesses. This brings the total number of arrests to 355. The ongoing investigation, known as Ops Global, has resulted in the detention of 200 individuals so far.

The 200 detainees include 31 members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), with 17 of them being key figures of the organization. Police have stated that GISB is associated with a banned religious sect. The conglomerate, established in 2010, owns bakeries, minimarts, and other businesses in Malaysia and globally, with assets totaling around RM325 million (US$75.6 million).

Saturday’s arrests took place across 82 locations in Peninsula Malaysia. During the operations, 186 victims were rescued, including 102 males and 84 females. Among the victims were several children who were captured on video allegedly being caned by members of the company, according to the New Straits Times.

In Melaka, 24 people were rescued, including 19 minors, from a house, as reported by the Malay Mail.

Earlier this month, police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, rescuing approximately 400 children who had allegedly been abused, some sexually. The rescued children ranged in age from one to 17.

Investigation Findings

According to Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain, initial investigations revealed that the victims were not only sodomized by the caretakers but were also taught to perform similar acts on other children at the homes. The suspects punished the victims using heated metal objects for their mistakes, and they touched the victims’ body parts under the guise of religious medical treatment, as reported by the New Straits Times on Sep 11.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
   • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first relevant SDG is SDG 16, which focuses on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The article discusses the investigation into alleged child abuse, which falls under Target 16.2 of SDG 16, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article also mentions the rescue of victims, including minors who were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, which aligns with Indicator 16.2.3 that measures the proportion of young women and men who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

The second relevant SDG is SDG 5, which addresses Gender Equality. The article mentions that 77 women were among those arrested, indicating that women are also involved in the alleged child abuse. This connects to Target 5.2 of SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres. The corresponding indicator, Indicator 5.2.1, measures the proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.

The third relevant SDG is SDG 10, which focuses on Reduced Inequalities. The article mentions the rescue of victims from welfare homes, indicating that these children may come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This aligns with Target 10.2 of SDG 10, which aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The corresponding indicator, Indicator 10.2.1, measures the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: channelnewsasia.com