SHAH ALAM: In a move aimed at safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB), 185 of them have been released to their families on bond with strict conditions imposed by the court.
State women and family empowerment, social welfare and care economy committee chairman Anfaal Saari told the Selangor Assembly here that subsection 30(8) of the Child Act 2001 empowers the court to impose any conditions or give any directions that it deems appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of the child.
“The type of bond imposed is provided under subsection 30(1)(a), namely an unsecured bond,” she said in reply to Lim Yi Wei (PH-Kampung Tunku), who asked Anfaal to reveal the number of children linked to GISB who have been released on bond, the type of bond as well as the monitoring that will be implemented by the government, as well as enforcement measures.
Anfaal explained that there are additional conditions under subsection 30(8) designed to prevent abuse and ensure access to education and support, including regular check-ins with the Social Welfare Office, participation in designated programmes and a prohibition against using children in social media content.
To a question by Lim on what are the criteria for the suitability of guardians to allow the release of the children, Anfaal said the criteria is based on an assessment of four matters.
“These are the family’s social readiness to accept the child, the family’s economic readiness, suitability of the living environment and readiness to meet the child’s schooling needs,” Anfaal added.
Following her explanation, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) asked about Sekolah Rendah Agama Sijangkang’s suitability as a rehabilitation centre for approximately 40 adults and 80 children, the frequency of rehabilitation programmes and the expected results.
“If the number is large, isn’t it a challenge to place them in one centre?” Ahmad Yunus asked.
Anfaal said her office will reassess the suitability of the location, but a special task force to rehabilitate children from GISB in Selangor working together with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) had gazetted the location as a safe place for rehabilitation.
“This also ensured access to programmes in the last four months set by us. In January, these children were returned (to their guardians). The rehabilitation of adults comes under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council (MKN) and some under MAIS.
”For children under my jurisdiction, JKM has ensured that these premises are safe places,” added Anfaal.
Lim then raised a supplementary question regarding monitoring mechanisms for children moving across state lines or abroad.
Anfaal said in the additional conditions under subsection 30(8), parents or guardians are responsible for keeping the child protectors informed, and if they violate the conditions imposed it can lead to the children being taken away again.
“JKM can take action if it is feared that the abuse will occur again,” she said.
