Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain said that there is nothing stopping anyone who has been separated from their children, who have been placed under the care of the social welfare department (JKM) as part of Op Global, to come forward to inquire on their welfare.

He also said those affected have the right to take legal action if they wish to file a suit against the agencies involved in the operation, reported Sinar Harian.

“We have followed legal procedures in rescuing these children, including screenings conducted by JKM and assessments by the medical team.

“JKM also has its own procedures to ensure these children are entrusted to those qualified to care for them – not only in terms of family relations but also in their ability to provide proper welfare for the children.

“This is a standard procedure and if they wish to pursue legal action, that is their right,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the handover ceremony of the Perak police chief’s post from Azizi Mat Aris to his deputy, Zulkafli Sariaat, in Ipoh.

“In terms of the investigation, if someone has been separated from their child, they can come forward and make inquiries.”

Last month, FMT reported that the legal team representing GISBH had appealed to the authorities to grant parents access to their children.

GISBH’s lawyer Rosli Kamaruddin urged the government and authorities to permit them to participate in managing the children’s welfare, adding that they are willing to adhere to any rules imposed.

In early September, police raided welfare homes that the authorities linked to GISBH and rescued 402 children, some of whom were allegedly sodomised and coached to sexually assault others.

Since then, more than 600 children have been rescued from GISBH-linked welfare homes.