Malaysia child abuse case: GISB under investigation over forced labor allegations

PETALING JAYA – Police have opened 10 investigation papers against Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) after several people filed reports of forced labor, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said.

The documents were opened under the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, he added on September 28.

The investigation followed police reports filed by several people who once worked for GISB.

Mr Razarudin said police were also checking information uploaded on Pukas Malaysia’s Facebook page, which claimed that GISB was operating quarantine centers in Malaysia and abroad.

“These centers are believed to be places for indoctrination and housing problem members. Police are also tracing other assets linked to GISB,” he added.

He said GISB’s tax payment investigations focused on its companies that had not paid taxes in the current assessment year. This was also investigated by the Inland Revenue Board.

On September 19, 19 people, including the GISB managing director, his wife and other family members, were arrested following raids on four residential units in Jalan Imbi.

On September 11, police rescued 402 children, including 201 boys and 201 girls between the ages of one and 17, from 20 foster homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan as part of an operation codenamed Ops Global.

There were allegations that the children were mistreated, exploited and sexually abused.

A total of 171 suspects aged between 17 and 64 were arrested, including a teacher and dormitory guard. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK