KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 18): The Malaysian Bar is repeating the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's call for the government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate allegations of exploitation and sexual abuse involving 402 children at welfare homes.

The reported cases may only be the tip of the iceberg as these welfare homes have operated for years without proper oversight, said Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab in a statement on Wednesday.

The Malaysian Bar stands with Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) children commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki in condemning the gross violations suffered by the children in these welfare homes, Ezri said, emphasising that such abuse cannot be tolerated in any society that values the safety and wellbeing of its children.

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This situation raises serious concerns about the regulatory framework governing these welfare homes. As such, it is crucial for the government to adopt a holistic approach to prevent such tragedies from recurring, Ezri said.

"This includes not only taking immediate action against the perpetrators but also undertaking long-term reforms of the systems overseeing these centers. We urge the government to consider the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry, as proposed by Dr Farah Nini in Suhakam's press statement, to thoroughly investigate the shortcomings that have allowed such abuses to continue for years. The findings of the RCI will hopefully lead to meaningful reforms in child protection policies and institutional oversight mechanisms," said Ezri.

Last week, Malaysian police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, linked to Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISB) - a Muslim conglomerate - rescuing 402 children who were allegedly abused, some sexually.

The Malaysian Bar expressed horror at the distressing revelations and voiced its full support for the swift action taken by the police and other authorities involved.

Ezri also affirmed the Malaysian Bar’s readiness to offer unwavering support and assistance to the victims.

"The Malaysian Bar will continue to advocate for justice for the victims and ensure that proper measures are implemented to eliminate these threats to our society," Ezri concluded.

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