KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The police carried out six months of intelligence and investigations before raiding 20 care homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding (GISBH) over allegations of child exploitation and abuse.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said they have been investigating the company since 2011, long before allegations against GISBH went viral on social media recently.
The police also met representatives of NGO Pusat Kajian Ajaran Sesat six months ago.
"They were the ones who channelled initial information and facilitated the re-opening of investigations of various police reports lodged against GISBH,” he said when contacted today.
In addition, the police also received a report lodged by a former GISBH member from Negeri Sembilan. However, the report was later retracted.
“The woman later lodged a new report and we opened investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001,” Razarudin said, adding that the woman also gave the police credible leads for action to be taken.
Although investigations began six months ago, the police were not slow to act and they could only make arrests after receiving credible leads.
"I urge former GISBH members who had lodged police reports before retracting them to come forward and help in investigations,” he said.
On Wednesday (September 11), the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department rescued 402 individuals — 201 boys and 201 girls — aged between one and 17 years when they raided 20 care homes linked to a company alleged to be involved in religious and child exploitation.
— Bernama
