PETALING JAYA: G25 has backed the Malaysian Bar’s call to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe allegations of the inhumane treatment of children living in Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) welfare homes and its teachings.

The group of prominent retired civil servants said an RCI would not only assist in the investigations but also promote accountability and reforms that will improve how such matters are handled in the future to “avoid the delays we have seen in this case”.

“We, G25, once again call on the government to look into the administration of Islam in our country at a deeper level. Delays in execution and action just because of religious sensitivities leave room for neglect at the expense of the innocent,” it said in a statement yesterday.

On Sept 19, the Malaysian Bar urged the government to consider an RCI to investigate the alleged child exploitation associated with charity homes operated by GISB.

G25 pointed out that on Sept 11, police conducted a raid that resulted in the rescue of 402 children from 20 homes associated with GISB, leading to 171 arrests.

“Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain reported that the victims, all local children and some found to be those of GISB members, suffered various forms of abuse.

“So, if the police were already involved in February 2019, why was the closing of the GISB welfare homes and removal of the children not done sooner?” the group said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/24/g25-backs-call-for-rci-into-gisb