KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-nine more care homes believed to be linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) are under police observation in relation to the shocking allegations of child exploitation and abuse, says the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said these care homes are “all over the country”.
ALSO READ: Leader denies slavery claims
“The care homes are on our radar. We are not ruling out the possibility of further action being taken following the raids conducted on Wednesday,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He said the raids on 20 care homes on Wednesday under Op Global were the culmination of a six-month investigation.
“We have been probing the company since 2011, even before allegations against it were made on social media.
“I met representatives of the Research Centre for Deviant Teachings six months ago. They were the ones who passed us the initial information that (had us) revisiting various police reports lodged against the company,” he added.
Razarudin said one of the police reports was lodged by a female former GISB member from Negri Sembilan, who then retracted the report.
“We contacted the woman and she later lodged a fresh report, leading us to open investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001,” he said, adding that the woman also gave police credible leads.
“This also allowed us to conduct Op Global, spearheaded by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department and the Special Branch Department.
“Officers from both departments were essential in gathering intelligence and building a case. I was briefed on their findings two days prior to the raids in Selangor and Negri Sembilan,” he said.
The IGP refuted claims that the police had delayed in acting on the reports lodged against GISB, adding that action was taken after credible leads were obtained.
He urged those who have been victimised by centres or organisations believed to be linked to GISB to promptly come forward and lodge police reports.
“We also urge former members to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Pahang, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said there is no connection between the Islamist party and GISB.
The Marang MP claimed that there had been news reports by international media linking PAS to the company embroiled in allegations of child abuse and exploitation this week.“These news reports are incorrect. They are not our members and they have nothing to do with us. This requires a police investigation,” Abdul Hadi told reporters after opening the 70th PAS muktamar in Kerdau yesterday.
