During the recent presentation of Budget 2025 in Parliament on Friday (October 18), Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that an allocation of RM25 million will be provided to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community.
This is to manage the abused children involved in the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) case and implement a faith recovery program for them.
However, this has caused outrage online.
Many believe that the government shouldn’t be using taxpayer money, and a whopping RM25 million at that, to manage the abused children.
They did share that the kids definitely require assistance and guidance after all that they have endured, but netizens emphasised that the funding for this should either come from GISBH’s own pocket (considering it was at their homes where the kids were abused) or through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
The Hector of Sector 470 X page was among those who echoed this. They wrote, “I pay my taxes which means I get less to spend for my kids but the MADANI government sees no problem in throwing RM25 million for the cult children. The money, if any, should come from GISBH’s assets worth RM52 million.”
They also pointed out that the amount of RM25 million seems a little excessive.
“If 400 children and RM25 million (is needed in order to) restore faith, the cost for 1 child equals to RM62,500 per person. Maybe (they are) doing faith recovery classes at a 6-star hotel.”
Here are some others who agree with this.
“How much is the recovery cost per head? This MADANI government is strange. There needs to be an itemised bill and proper planning, why can’t they use the existing infrastructure and programs under JAKIM?”
“RM25 million is too much. What exactly are they going to do in a recovery program? Or are they just saying (the amount is RM25 million)? Or (is the money) going to be leaked here and there?”
Hector of Sector 407 further emphasised that it is NOT about why the recovery program is being done, but how it is being done.
“It is true that GISBH’s assets cannot be liquidated in 1 day because they have to follow procedures but at the same time, PMX cannot guarantee that GISBH’s assets will be used for the faith restoration program. Don’t tell me that GISBH can cause problems but others have to bear the burden? GISBH isn’t poor either,”
“Why should additional taxpayer money be used when GISBH assets (seizures in progress under AMLA 2001) or JAKIM’s RM2 billion budget can easily cover the rehabilitation costs?” they added.
Even if their seized assets are not placed under consideration, shouldn’t GISBH fork out the money to pay for the rehabilitation of the abused children when the abuse happened under their roof?
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
