MELAKA: The Melaka government will tighten the regulations and procedures for entry and supervision at two temporary shelters for new Muslim converts or reverts in the state to prevent any criminal incidents or immoral activities.
State Executive Councillor for Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Datuk Rahmad Mariman said this includes stricter screening, especially involving the backgrounds of potential residents, and wardens, to ensure the safety and comfort of all occupants in the two free shelters.
“The shelters are provided for new Muslim converts in Melaka, with the aim of offering temporary protection, especially for those who are homeless or estranged from their families due to a change in religion.
“The occupants also receive daily food allowances from the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM).
“However, due to the diverse backgrounds of the occupants, there have been cases that should not have occurred,” he told reporters here today in response to the sodomy incident involving an occupant of the temporary shelter for new converts in Taman Kesidang, after being featured in Melaka FM’s “Apa Khabau YB?” programme here today.
Rahmad said occupants at the two temporary shelters have also been reminded to cooperate with the management team and not to conceal any immoral or unhealthy activities occurring at the shelters.
“Sometimes unexpected incidents occur because other residents are afraid due to threats and so on. However, the state government, through MAIM, will closely monitor the operations of both temporary protection homes, including the wardens placed there,”
Two days ago, media reported that a 12-year-old boy, who is the son of a Muslim convert woman at the temporary shelter in Taman Kesidang, was allegedly repeatedly sodomised by his 20-year-old roommate since April.
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Zainol Samah reportedly said that the unemployed suspect, who hails from Kepala Batas, Penang, has been remanded for six days to facilitate investigations. – BERNAMA
