KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Nearly two weeks after police launched Op Global, the 572 children rescued from welfare homes linked to GISB Holdings (GISBH) have yet to be claimed by their parents.
The parents are believed to be avoiding this to prevent the exposure of their tactic of presenting the charity home as an orphanage to solicit donations, when in fact, the children are the offspring of members of the organisation.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said this during a press conference today, stating that this constituted an offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud.
Adding to the distress, some parents, who were arrested, denied the children rescued were their own. In some cases, police interrogations revealed that some children, especially those aged under 12, said they do not know their partners.
The rescued children have been placed in 11 safehouses by the Social Welfare Department. The Education Ministry will launch an education programme for over 300 of the children, which will commence October 1.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the programme, using a special module, would involve a first phase lasting two months, with phase two to be implemented if required.
In Op Global Phase 4 of the investigation launched on Saturday, police discovered that GISBH members were practising Aurad Muhammadiyah, a ritual associated with the al-Arqam group, which was banned in 1994. Pamphlets and books on the matter were found on GISBH premises and have been handed over to the Islamic Development Department for further action.
Razarudin said the investigation into the organisation is being done under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
As of Saturday, 153 GISBH-related bank accounts worth RM882,795 have been frozen, and 38 vehicles worth approximately RM3.94 million, along with 14 properties under investigation, have been seized as part of Op Global.
The asset freezing was conducted under Section 44(1) of AMLATFPUAA, with confiscations done under Section 45(2) of the same act.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the ruling on GISBH’s doctrine will be announced after the consent of the Conference of Rulers, which will convene in October.
Na’im said before the decision is made, the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, chaired by Datuk Nooh Gadot, along with state muftis, will meet to discuss the matter from tomorrow until Thursday.
— Bernama
