KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — On September 11, the police carried out Op Global which saw a raid on 20 charity houses linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), which is allegedly involved in child exploitation activities and deviation from Islamic teachings.
Following the raid, a total of 402 residents of the charity house were rescued and 171 individuals between the ages of 17 and 64 were arrested. Here is the chronology of the case as of today:
August 16, 2024:
On its official Facebook page, the governmental organisation Malaysia Center for the Study of Heresy (Pukas) revealed the alleged heretical activities in GISBH.
September 6, 2024:
On his official Facebook page, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin raised the issue of violence and cruelty associated with GISBH, which requires investigation and intervention by the authorities.
September 11, 2024:
The police raided 20 charity houses believed to belong to GISBH in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan and arrested 171 individuals to help investigate cases of child and religious exploitation. A total of 402 individuals, 201 males and 201 females aged between one and 17 years old, were rescued in the operation.
Of that number, 10 children are disabled persons or autistic, who were handed over to the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) after screening. The remaining 392 underwent a health screening test at the Police Training Center (Pulapol) Kuala Lumpur.
GISBH issued a statement denying allegations that they exploit children as workers and stated that they will not compromise with activities that violate the law, especially involving children.
September 12, 2024:
The process of documenting rescued children continues at Pulapol Kuala Lumpur.
A 19-year-old teenage girl was charged in the Seremban Sessions Court, Negeri Sembilan, with four charges of physical abuse against four children girls between the ages of five and six at a childcare centre in Seremban linked to GISBH. The accused pleaded not guilty.
September 13, 2024:
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain held a second press conference regarding the case and revealed that 41 police reports related to GISBH had been received from 2011 until September this year.
159 individuals of the 171 detained were remanded while the rest were minors and did not need to be investigated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the matter of faith, misuse of power and religion, and abuse of children are serious matters that need to be dealt with immediately.
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The exterior of a welfare home sealed by the Department of Social Welfare after it was raided in the wake of the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding's exploitation and abuse case, in Subang on September 14, 2024. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
September 14, 2024:
The IGP's third press conference reveals that the raid on 20 charity houses through Op Global was the result of six months of police intelligence and investigation. However, the investigation into the company has been carried out since 2011, and the police met with Pukas representatives six months ago.
September 15, 2024:
The police confirmed that 483 individuals had recorded conversations consisting of complainants, witnesses, victims, and suspects. 384 children and teenagers completed a health screening and the results of the screening found that there were characteristics of neglect and abuse.
September 17, 2024:
Razarudin confirms that 96 accounts belonging to GISBH have been frozen, as well as four accounts closed involving assets worth over RM581,000.
All 392 victims rescued through Op Global have completed health screenings, with physical and emotional criminal elements detected. Three investigation papers regarding Op Global were submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers.
September 18, 2024:
Businessman Mohamad Riza Makar, who is also a GISBH member, pleaded not guilty at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court to the charge of making criminal threats against a woman on September 9.
September 19, 2024:
19 individuals including the top management, wives, and several GISBH leaders have been remanded for seven days to assist with the investigations.
Three student assistants from a madrasah in Kuala Pilah, who are suspected of having links with GISBH, were charged in the Seremban Sessions Court, Negeri Sembilan with 14 charges of sexually abusing five children in 2022 and 2023. They pleaded not guilty.
September 20, 2024:
Seven more individuals suspected of having links with GISBH were arrested to assist in the investigation of human trafficking cases. They include the son of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Mohammad, as well as the GISBH-linked Youth Defender of the Ummah group.
Another teaching assistant at a madrasah in Kuala Pilah was charged in the Sessions Court in Seremban and pleaded not guilty to six charges of sexual assault against four boys last year.
The Special Meeting of the Perlis Fatwa Committee decided that the beliefs and teachings in GISBH contain elements of heresy, especially inner teachings.
— Bernama
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The GISB Holdings headquarters seen in Rawang on September 11, 2024. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
