KUALA LUMPUR: The government is prioritising efforts to reintegrate children rescued during Op Global back into society, particularly with their families, through various initiatives.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, said that the government is implementing the GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) rehabilitation module, which includes faith rehabilitation, counselling, national integration, education, vocational training, and other programmes.
He said that the development of the children would be closely and regularly monitored in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) and other government agencies. This oversight focuses on their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being to ensure sustainable positive outcomes.
"Community involvement and cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are essential to create a robust social support system for these children, helping to alleviate their sense of loss and trauma.
"The government fully supports the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM)'s position that the priority is to reunite the children with their parents and families.
"However, it must be ensured that the parents and families are capable of providing proper care and building a brighter future for these children. If not, the same issues may recur when the children are neglected or separated again due to the systems established by the leadership of GISBH," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to an additional question from Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar) regarding the trauma experienced by children separated from their parents and the government's strategies to monitor and ensure the long-term success of the faith rehabilitation plan.
Elaborating further, Mohd Na'im said that these approaches require strong commitment and cooperation from various parties to ensure the children are not neglected and can return to a normal life within the community.
"We also have experts in pedagogy, psychology, and faith who will monitor these children to help them reintegrate into society smoothly," he added.
He said that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) would continue focusing on strengthening the faith and practices of Muslims, including GISBH members.
This would be achieved through the promotion of knowledge and comprehensive, effective educational programmes in collaboration with State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN), State Islamic Departments (JAIN), and other relevant agencies.