Over 400 Children Rescued in Raids on Welfare Homes Linked to Global Ikhwan Group
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — In a series of police raids conducted yesterday across welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, more than 400 children, some as young as one year old, were rescued. These facilities are connected to the Global Ikhwan Group, also known as GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).
The raids were initiated following 41 police reports filed against the organization since 2011 up to September 7 this year. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that 171 people, including caretakers, religious teachers, and the chairman of the centres, were arrested during these operations.
Razarudin revealed at a press conference that preliminary investigations uncovered a troubling pattern of abuse. The children in these homes were reportedly subjected to sodomy by caretakers and were also instructed to perform similar acts on each other. Additionally, the abuse was compounded by the misuse of religious sentiments to solicit donations, with perpetrators falsely claiming to offer Islamic treatment while inappropriately touching the victims.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, stated last Saturday that an investigation was underway into the company's involvement in child exploitation.
In response, Global Ikhwan Services & Business Holdings (GISBH) has denied any involvement in the alleged abuses, asserting that it was not responsible for the operation of the raided welfare homes and labelling the accusations as part of a smear campaign.
Post-Raid Developments:
- 171 individuals, including caretakers, religious teachers, and chairpersons, have been detained. Among them, 105 are female and 68 are male, ranging from 17 to 64 years old.
- The hostel warden, centre chairman, and religious teachers are under remand until September 15 for further investigation.
- 402 children, aged from one to 17 years old, have been rescued and are currently housed at the Malaysian Police Training Centre for medical evaluations, which may take up to 14 days.
- The children had also faced physical abuse, including punishment with heated metal objects.
Locations of Raided Premises:
- Six in Hulu Selangor
- Four in Klang Utara
- Two in Shah Alam
- Two in Sepang
- Two in Kajang
- One each in Petaling, Subang Jaya, Seremban, and Nilai
The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Background on Global Ikhwan Services & Business Holdings:
Global Ikhwan markets itself as a Bumiputera-Muslim-run conglomerate with assets valued at RM325 million and operates 415 business outlets across 20 countries. Established in 2010, it traces its origins to the banned Al-Arqam group, rebranded as Global Ikhwan with GISB Holdings as its registered name before Ashaari Muhammad's death.
The Arqam Group, a business arm of the deviant Islamic sect Al-Arqam founded by Ashaari Muhammad, had been banned by the National Fatwa Council in 1994. The group's controversial beliefs and teachings led to its rebranding and later repositioning as a multinational company focused on Halal products.
Al-Arqam began in Kuala Lumpur in 1968, faced early backlash for its teachings, and was involved in controversial claims about Islamic prophecies and connections to Prophet Muhammad. The group faced several bans and criticisms before evolving into its current business form.
