KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has confirmed the arrest of the GISB Holdings’ chief executive officer, his wife, and several company leaders, including the son of a former Al-Arqam founder, during an Op Global raid early this morning.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the coordinated operation with Bukit Aman’s D8 Division and the Special Integrated Investigation Team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) D14 of Bukit Aman was conducted simultaneously at four residential units at Tower A, Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, at 5.40am.
“As a result, 19 people, comprising 12 men and seven women aged between 25 and 65, were detained,” he said when contacted today.
He added that initial questioning and documentation processes are underway, with remand applications to be filed at the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court later today.
Yesterday, police arrested five men, including the son of a GISB chief executive officer, and seized two recreational motorhomes bearing the company’s logo, while the suspects attempted to flee to Thailand via the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint.
Meanwhile, Razarudin confirmed the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court issued a seven-day remand order today for all five men, aged between 30 and 41.
Last week, the Bukit Aman CID raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan linked to GISB, rescuing 402 children and teenagers — 201 boys and 201 girls — aged between one and 17.
Razarudin said health screenings conducted on 392 children rescued from the welfare homes revealed evidence of physical and emotional abuse. The children were also believed to have been exploited for labour by being forced to sell goods.
Two days ago, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, ordered PDRM to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the alleged criminal misconduct and child abuse linked to GISB.
— Bernama
