TUMPAT: A total of 130 children rescued from charity homes linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) have yet to be claimed by their parents, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, she mentioned that the reluctance of parents to claim their children might stem from fears of arrest. “They are worried about coming to claim their children because the matter involves the police, but in fact, those arrested had other offences,” Nancy explained to reporters during her visit to flood victims at the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Tumpat 2.

Nancy further clarified that the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has made efforts to contact the children’s parents, but no responses have been forthcoming. She stressed the importance of returning the children to their families within a specific timeframe mandated by the court, highlighting the existence of a formal procedure for this process.

She also noted that JKM is require
d to obtain a court order to ensure that the children are placed with someone who is deemed qualified and suitable to care for them. Since the first phase of Operation Global commenced in early September, 415 individuals, including GISBH’s top management, have been arrested for various offences. Additionally, a total of 625 victims, ranging in age from two months to 28 years, have been rescued by the police.