IGP: Welfare home victims found to suffer from physical, emotional abuse

Health screenings of 392 children rescued from homes linked to Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISBH) during Op Global have shown signs of physical and emotional abuse.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the Health Ministry concluded the screening of 202 boys and 190 girls but noted further assessment was needed, particularly on their emotional health.

“The primary criminal elements we have identified affecting the victims include physical and emotional abuse, as evidenced by viral videos on social media showing the victims being beaten, whipped, and having their chests pressed, as well as child grooming.

“Additionally, there are elements of child labour and exploitation, with those under 18 forced to work by selling goods.

“Police investigations have also found signs of child neglect and issues of malnutrition,” he told a press conference at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, Islamic Development Department (Jakim) deputy director-general of policy Sirajuddin Suhaimee, Health Ministry emergency consultant Dr Noorzilawati Ahmad, and Social Welfare Department representative Wan Noraidah Wan Mohd Zain.

3 probe papers

Razarudin said the police will submit three investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.

He explained that two papers pertain to investigations under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act in Negeri Sembilan, while the third involves a case under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

During the first phase of the investigation, 10 papers were opened - six in Selangor and four in Negeri Sembilan.

“For the second phase, 23 investigation papers have been opened across four states: Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, and Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

The police will also apply to extend the remand orders of the suspects to facilitate further investigations.

RM580k frozen, 8 vehicles seized

Meanwhile, Razarudin said the Social Welfare Department has issued temporary custody orders for the 149 children, aged between one and 10.

“This temporary custody order is in accordance with Section 25 (2) of the Child Act 2001.

“These children have been moved to four safe shelters, while the remaining 243 individuals are still at Pulapol Kuala Lumpur and will be gradually transferred to temporary care centres,” he said.

Razarudin added that the police have frozen 96 accounts belonging to GISB, which have been identified under Section 44 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

“The frozen accounts hold a total value of RM581,552.31, and four accounts have also been ordered to be closed. Additionally, the police have seized eight vehicles owned by the company,” he said.

Parents not coming forward

The police chief also said the parents of most of the rescued children have been identified, but none have come forward to claim them.

“Most of them are children of members. They may not come forward because they might be unaware that their children have been rescued or perhaps because GISBH previously claimed that all the children were orphans,” he said.

He added that, in some cases, this was also due to early marriages among GISB members, which were not registered, resulting in the children being given “bin Abdullah” or “binti Abdullah” to their names.

Razarudin said only two of the 20 homes housing the children were registered with the Social Welfare Department.

In the Sept 11 operation, police rescued 402 children and teenagers - 201 boys and 201 girls aged between one and 17 - who were suspected to have been victims of exploitation at 18 charity homes in Selangor and two in Negeri Sembilan.

The raid also revealed instances of neglect and abuse of the children and teenagers residing in the charity homes, leading to the arrest of 171 individuals, including 105 women.

- Bernama

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