Child abuse case: Anwar vows not to back down in probe against GISB conglomerate

On Sep 11, authorities in Malaysia rescued 402 children and teenagers from 20 care homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan that were allegedly owned by GISB. Initial investigations found that at least 13 of them had been sodomised or taught to sexually abuse others.

And the number of those rescued has since ballooned to 572 children and teenagers as of Sep 24, FMT reported.

More than 300 people – including GISB’s senior management – have since been detained.

SELANGOR TO INVESTIGATE OVER 600 PEOPLE

Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) said that it has received full cooperation from the police in investigating 612 people allegedly linked to GISB.

“On the day the police launched Op Global on Sept 11, JAIS established a special committee led by its director to form a dedicated team focused on addressing and taking specific actions regarding the arrests made by the police.

“Several decisions were made by the committee, and JAIS has received full cooperation from the police to investigate the 612 individuals under the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995,” said Selangor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, as reported by the New Straits Times (NST).

Of the 612 people, 386 have been identified as rescued victims, 184 categorised as Persons of Interest (POI) and the remaining 42 are awaiting classification from the police.

Dr Fahmi said that eight special investigating officers were appointed to continue the investigation of several key cases involving high-profile individuals within GISB.

Meanwhile, NST reported Dr Fahmi as saying that the state government will work with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council to establish a streamlined and efficient mechanism following GISB’s actions of collecting funds or donations from Muslims for the benefit of their group through charitable organisations.