KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 136 children under Global Ikhwan Services & Business (GISB) Holdings, who have not been claimed by their families, are currently housed in nine institutions under the Social Welfare Department.
The children were placed in these institutions in accordance with Section 25(2)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which relates to the care and protection of children.
Nancy said the children's identities have been verified and they are awaiting interim orders to be reunited with their families under Section 30(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 or placed with a Suitable and Fit Person (OYLS) under Section 30(1)(b).
"If they remain unclaimed, the Social Welfare Department will seek permanent orders for institutional placement. They will participate in programmes developed by the department in collaboration with agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), and others," she told Harian Metro.
Earlier reports stated that over 100 GISBH children awaiting reunion with their families were undergoing special rehabilitation modules conducted by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais).
Mais chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the children are currently housed in welfare homes run by the Social Welfare Department in the capital. He added that some are still undergoing identity verification.