PETALING JAYA: In under a week, authorities have ramped up their investigation into the alleged abuse of over 400 children at 20 care homes across Selangor and Negri Sembilan, all linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) on Sept 11.
Under the Ops Global by the police, 171 suspects aged between 17 and 64 were arrested including a teacher and dormitory caretakers, and are currently under remand to assist investigations.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said yesterday that the police will seek an extended remand to deepen the investigation into the care homes.
A day after the raids, Negri Sembilan Sessions court also charged 19-year-old Puteri Nurin Amalina Ahmad Daud (on Sept 12), for child abuse offences.
The prosecutors claimed that Puteri Nurin committed the offence of using a hot spoon to cause physical injuries on the arms of her alleged victims aged between five and six.
The teen who was employed as a childcare assistant has claimed trial for the charges.
On Sept 14, Razarudin said 39 more care homes scattered all over the country, believed to be linked to GISB, have come under police observation in the course of the investigation into allegations of child exploitation and abuse.
In a further effort to crack down on religious schools linked to GISB, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) will be closing down the schools’ operations.
