Welfare authority extends interim custody of rescued children as investigation continues

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Welfare Department has extended interim custody orders for 18 children rescued in a major welfare operation in July, as efforts to verify their identity and family background are ongoing.

Department director Rozita Ibrahim said the children, all rescued from allegedly unsafe homes on July 21, were placed under temporary protective custody until Aug 22.

She said that order had now been extended by another two months, until Oct 22, to allow time for the completion of detailed child protection reports required for court proceedings under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).

“The extension is to enable us to confirm the legal identities and family ties of the children, many of whom are without valid documentation.

“Of the 20 children rescued, 12 have no official identification documents while six have partial records requiring verification. Two others, a woman and her infant, have since been released following a separate assessment.

“Some of the children do not know who their biological parents are, and in some cases, parents have come forward to claim the children, but we cannot allow reunification without confirmed proof of relationship,” she told newsmen here today.

Rozita said authorities had begun biometric verification processes to authenticate the children’s identities.

“In addition, forensic dental teams from hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Perak have been brought in to estimate the children’s ages through dental examinations,” she added.

Preliminary findings suggest that some children might be linked to families with cross-border backgrounds, including origins in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and indigenous communities.

Rozita said authorities were reviewing family trees and conducting internal consultations to resolve discrepancies.

“Currently, all 18 children remaining in care are reported to be in good health and are participating in structured programmes.

“Authorities are working toward providing access to formal education once documentation issues are resolved.

“This is a sensitive and complex process. Our priority is the safety and long-term welfare of the children,” she said.

Rozita said they are committed to handling this case with care and within the scope of the law.

It was reported that a 15-day-old baby girl was among 20 children rescued during a special joint operation carried out by the Welfare Department and police.

The operation, conducted on July 21 at two premises in Seberang Prai Tengah, followed intelligence reports and inspections by the authorities.

Children without their legal guardians were found living in the homes and they were deprived of basic needs, such as food, clothing and secure shelter.

They were believed to be of different nationalities, including locals. Some were able to converse in Mandarin. — NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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