In a statement today, the ministry said it ultimately aims to return the children rescued from welfare homes linked to GISBH to their families.

“However, before this can be done, several aspects need to be evaluated and considered to ensure the welfare and well-being of the children involved,” it said.

In the video of the meeting in question, a social welfare department officer claimed that he had no case to keep the child in the department’s care.

“How do I tell Putrajaya that we don’t have a case here? We only received orders to rescue (the children). We don’t have rights to (the child’s) guardianship,” the officer told someone, presumably the child’s parents.

However, the ministry said the social welfare department acted within the powers granted to it under sections 8 and 17(1)(d) of the Child Act 2001 to protect the children involved.

“Action was also taken based on the Care Centres Act 1993, which provides for the appointment and powers of the authorised officer.

“The department’s role in Op Global is to carry out operations to rescue children with police aid, manage their temporary placement, register their information, obtain orders for temporary guardianship and manage the children’s transfer to shelters.

“As has been said, all 560 children under the care of the social welfare department are still needed for further investigations by the authorities,” it said.