Former Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said police should bring the suspects to court and charge them, if they were found to have committed any offence.

“The case of GISBH is of public interest and (there must be) an open trial so that the public knows the truth.

“Knowing that Sosma is draconian and does not guarantee justice for the accused, it must never be used or considered. In fact, it should be abolished,” the former Sosma detainee said in a statement today.

Maria said there were other provisions under the Criminal Procedure Code that the police could use to investigate GISBH, without needing to turn to Sosma.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said police may consider using Sosma to further their investigation into the company.

GISBH and its activities have come under scrutiny after police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan which the authorities had linked to the firm.

Investigations showed that at least 13 of the children were sodomised or taught to sexually assault others. Four people linked to the company have since been charged with numerous offences, including sexual assault.

The company’s CEO, Nasiruddin Ali, and 18 other members of its top management are under remand until Sept 25 to assist in the investigation.

Maria urged the police and relevant ministries to shut down all unregistered welfare homes operated by GISBH and to provide immediate emotional and psychological support to the rescued children.

She also urged the women, family and community development ministry to conduct a nationwide audit of all welfare homes for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

The former PKR MP also called for an in-depth review of the SOPs on how welfare homes are being monitored, in terms of both licensing and quality of care given to their residents.