Cops raid welfare homes where kids 'trained to sodomise', 402 rescued

Police have rescued 402 children in raids on 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan where they were allegedly taught to sodomise each other.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the police also arrested 171 people in the operation conducted from 6am to 11am today on the welfare homes believed to be run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).

The raids came following a police report on Sept 2 about alleged child abandonment, sexual assault and harassment of children at the welfare homes.

"During the raids, we rescued 402 children aged between seven months and 17.

"A total of 20 premises believed owned by GISBH were raided, and 171 suspects aged between 17 and 64 were detained," Razarudin told a press conference in Kuantan today.

He said that the operation dubbed “Op Global” comprised 705 police officers and personnel, aided by 287 workers from the Welfare Department, Health Ministry and Chemistry Department.

GISBH was reportedly established by former members of the Al-Arqam group, which the government banned due to deviant teachings. However, the company has continuously denied that it is linked to the religious cult.

'Victims of sodomy'

Razarudin claimed that the "modus operandi" of the group included teaching children how to commit sodomy on one another.

"Based on intelligence and initial statements gathered, the child victims were taught how to commit sodomy, and they too were sodomised by their guardians.

“In addition, they were also made to watch other children undergo the same predicament,” said Razarudin, adding that the group also used religious sentiments to raise funds.

Some of the victims were denied medical attention when they fell sick, to the extent that they became critically ill, the IGP added.

"The welfare home warden allegedly used heated tools to hurt victims as punishment for wrongdoings.

"The children were told that body parts the warden touched were for Islamic medicine purposes."

Group denies claim

GISBH is being probed under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (SOAC), as well as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670).

In a statement, GISBH denied child exploitation for labour and said that the group would never compromise with illegal activities involving children.

"The claims are prejudiced, a form of slander, and done with malicious intent to create a negative perception against GISBH.

"We are steadfast with our stance to follow the law, and uphold the government's aspiration to develop the country," read the statement.

GISBH also pledged to work with the authorities to settle the issue.

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