Suhakam children’s commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said that an RCI would enable a transparent and thorough investigation, including determining the root causes of how such exploitation of children occurred.

“We need to address these issues directly. How has this been going on for years, yet no one had asked if these children were going to school, if they were unwell, how many caretakers are there at each centre?,” she said while speaking as a guest on the Cikgu undang-undang podcast.

The new podcast, organised by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under the prime minister’s department, discusses current legal issues and institutional reforms.

It is hosted by law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said.

Besides Farah Nini, the first episode, aired yesterday, featured co-founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, Dr Hartini Zainudin.

Echoing Farah Nini’s sentiments, Hartini stressed the need for an RCI to explore the issue down to its root causes.

“I believe in an RCI. We need to go to the roots because children’s issues are the responsibility of many agencies,” she said.

Meanwhile, Azalina called for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) to move aggressively and draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the care of children associated with GISBH.

“Sometimes I feel that these children are voiceless.

“I also plan to invite all NGOs for children and the OCC for a session with the MPs,” Azalina added.