Members of firm in Malaysia child sex abuse case had multiple wives: police

Investigation Reveals Massive Child Sex Abuse Scandal in Malaysia

Introduction

A massive child sex probe in Malaysia has uncovered shocking details about the fathers associated with the Islamic company at the center of the investigation. Malaysia’s police chief revealed that many of these fathers had numerous children from multiple wives, with a significant number of them residing in care homes where the alleged abuse took place.

Multi-Agency Operation

The Malaysian police have conducted raids on numerous premises, including charity homes, businesses, and religious schools that are believed to be owned or linked to the wealthy Islamic company Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH). This operation is part of a massive multi-agency effort that has resulted in over 500 arrests across Malaysia’s peninsula in the past two weeks. The scale of the operation and the emerging details suggest that this could be the worst case of systemic child abuse and exploitation the country has ever witnessed.

Rescue and Medical Findings

As a result of the operation, more than 570 children have been rescued, with the majority coming from 20 welfare homes in the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan in the southern part of the peninsula. Disturbingly, medical screenings have revealed that at least 13 of these children have suffered from sexual abuse, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Police chief Razarudin Husain stated, “Most of these children are children of GISBH members,” further implicating the Islamic company in the scandal.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The issue of child sex abuse and exploitation highlighted in the article is connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article mentions that the alleged abuse took place in care homes where children, including girls, were living. This indicates a violation of the rights and safety of girls, which is a key concern of SDG 5.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issue of child sex abuse and exploitation also relates to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The article mentions that a massive multi-agency operation was conducted to rescue the children and arrest the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of strong institutions and justice in addressing such crimes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

This target is relevant to the issue of child sex abuse and exploitation mentioned in the article. The article highlights the sexual abuse suffered by at least 13 of the rescued children, indicating the need to eliminate such forms of violence against girls.

Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children

This target is also applicable to the issue discussed in the article. The article mentions the rescue of over 570 children who were victims of abuse and exploitation. Ending such forms of violence against children is a key objective of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Indicator 5.2.1: 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

Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the indicator 5.2.1 can be relevant in measuring progress towards Target 5.2. This indicator measures the proportion of women and girls who have experienced violence by an intimate partner. In the context of the article, it can be used to assess the prevalence of violence against women and girls within the Islamic company and its members.

Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation

The article mentions that more than 500 people have been arrested in a massive multi-agency operation, indicating the presence of human trafficking and exploitation. Indicator 16.2.2 can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.2 by tracking the number of victims of human trafficking, including children, and the forms of exploitation they have experienced.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: scmp.com