Bernama reported Razarudin as saying the physical and mental screenings for the children, aged between one and 17, would be carried out by 50 doctors and 50 social welfare department officers.

Razarudin was speaking to reporters during an event at a school in Kluang, Johor.

Also at the event was home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who urged the public to give the authorities space to investigate the case.

Saifuddin said the investigation and screening process required a reasonable amount of time as it involved several parties, such as the police, medical officers, psychologists and counsellors.

“If there is compelling evidence, legal action will be taken. That’s what the prime minister has ordered,” said Saifuddin.

Saifuddin was responding to a question on whether the government would take action against a company linked to the welfare homes.

Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), which police had linked to the welfare homes, has denied that it operated the homes.

It also denied that children under its care were sodomised and forced to sexually assault others.

GISBH, which owns supermarkets, minimarkets, bakeries, 120 restaurants and other businesses in Malaysia, the Middle East, Europe and China, has also denied exploiting children rescued in the raids as workers.