Johor Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail revealed that the next-of-kin for four child victims rescued from a recently uncovered paedophile ring in the state have yet to be traced.
She said about 10 other victims — including one Indonesian child — have already been claimed by their parents or guardians. The Social Welfare Department will continue providing protection and proper care for the children who currently have no guardians, she added, with department counsellors offering ongoing psychological support.
“The children do not have complete documents, and information about their biological parents or families is still being verified. They may be from outside the state,” she said.
“In this situation, the department is gathering the necessary information to track down their families and discuss the children’s future. While under our care, all of them are healthy, safe, and without issues.”
Khairin-Nisa disclosed this during the ‘Women as Catalysts for the Nation, Movers of the World’ programme organised by Yayasan Penyayang Iskandar Puteri at Dewan Raya Taman Pulai Utama.
The case came to light following the arrest of a 29-year-old man during a special operation — Op Pedo — carried out between July 19 and August 19. Media reports on Aug 29 previously detailed the operation of a syndicate that falsely offered newborns for adoption but instead separated babies from their mothers to sexually abuse them and use them as “models” for obscene content.
Initially, three children aged between five and seven were identified as victims. Police later uncovered dozens of videos and hundreds of photos of child sexual abuse material on the technician’s mobile phone.
The suspect reportedly used babies and young children to produce explicit content, which he then uploaded to the dark web and Telegram groups. His modus operandi involved advertising on Facebook under the guise of seeking babies for adoption.
In her speech, Khairin-Nisa also highlighted the crucial role of modern women, describing them not only as pillars of the family unit but also as agents of change, drivers of national progress, and impactful contributors to development.
“History has shown that knowledgeable, skilled, and resilient women can uplift society and build a more prosperous future,” she said.
She added that the state government remains committed to strengthening women’s and family development initiatives.
“We want the women of Johor to advance not only economically, but also in their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. I urge all participants to make full use of the opportunities provided through today’s programme for their future,” she said.
