KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Police are investigating the possibility of GISB Holdings (GISBH) soliciting donations by claiming the 572 children living in homes run by the company, rescued during Op Global raids, were orphans, when they are in fact children of its members.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said investigations revealed the children in these homes were instructed to claim they did not know their parents, who were members of the company.
“They won’t admit that these are their children; instead, they claim they are orphans because some of them have ‘bin’ or ‘binti’ Abdullah. This could be a ploy to collect donations, which might then be used for other purposes,” he said during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre today.
He added that the offence can be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, as several members interrogated denied the children were theirs.
Razarudin also revealed some members had up to four wives and 34 children, many of whom were placed in the company’s charity homes.
“Out of 34 children, only two lived with him. If you asked for the names of the other 32 children, he might not even know them,” he said.
Razarudin also reported that to date, 138 accounts linked to GISBH have been frozen, involving RM882,795.94, with 15 more accounts closed.
Additionally, 22 vehicles of various types, estimated to be worth RM1,872,085, and 14 properties, whose value is still under investigation, have also been frozen.
The freeze was carried out under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, while the seizures were made under Section 45(2) of the same act.
“Sixteen vehicles worth RM2,078,000, 26 animals, including nine horses, 14 rabbits, and three peacocks, as well as RM18,650 in cash, were also seized,” he said.
Razarudin denied negative perceptions that police neglected the animals that were seized, clarifying that the Veterinary Services Department and local authorities were involved in the care and inspection of the animals.
“Before disposal orders are obtained from the court, the police are responsible for ensuring the animals are fed and cared for,” he added.
Regarding phase four of Op Global launched on Saturday, Razarudin said 35 investigation papers have been opened, and 156 people, including 80 men and 76 women, have been remanded until September 28.
He said investigations were opened under the Child Act 2001, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Immigration Act 1959/1963, and Section 298 of the Penal Code.
Razarudin added that a child in a GISBH-run charity home in Tapah, Perak, believed to be a victim of abuse, was rescued after a video of him being stomped on went viral on social media.
Additionally, the police opened an investigation paper under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation of Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.
— Bernama
