Malaysia arrests hundreds in child abuse probe – police

Malaysia arrests hundreds in child abuse probe – police

/ 12:26 PM September 22, 2024

Malaysia arrests hundreds in child abuse probe – police

A general view shows the headquarters of Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) in Rawang, outside Kuala Lumpur, on September 12, 2024. Malaysian authorities have frozen close to 100 bank accounts belonging to a conglomerate accused of running care homes where hundreds of children were allegedly abused, police said September 17. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian police said they have arrested 355 suspects as part of an investigation into child abuse at care homes run by an Islamic conglomerate.

Police inspector-general Razarudin Husain said Saturday that the suspects were arrested in an operation to track down the remaining members of Global Ikhwan Service and Business (GISB), which police believe is linked to a banned Islamic sect.

Article continues after this advertisement

Among those arrested were GISB leader Nasiruddin Ali and 30 other members of the group.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Malaysia police to summon Islamic firm in child sex abuse probe

Police carried out raids on 82 premises, including charity homes, clinics, businesses, religious schools and private residences, Razarudin said.

Article continues after this advertisement

At least 186 victims had been rescued in the operation, he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Tuesday, Razarudin said authorities had frozen 96 accounts linked to the group containing approximately $124,000.

Article continues after this advertisement

GISB has long been controversial for its links to the now-defunct Al-Arqam sect, and has faced scrutiny by religious authorities in the Muslim-majority country.

READ: Malaysian scholar jailed over child porn

Article continues after this advertisement

Malaysian authorities banned Al-Arqam in 1994 for deviant teachings. GISB members had in 2011 set up an “Obedient Wives Club” that called on women to be “whores in bed” to stop their husbands from cheating.

According to its website, GISB says it is an Islamic company that runs businesses from supermarkets to restaurants, and operates in several countries including Indonesia, France and the United Kingdom.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Police believe the 402 minors in the care homes were all children of GISB members, Razarudin had said.

TAGS: child sex abuse, Malaysia

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.