Malaysia child abuse probe: 200 people arrested so far, including GISB members

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police have arrested 200 people so far in the investigation into alleged child abuse at care homes linked to a Muslim conglomerate.
Those arrested included 31 members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB). Seventeen of them are key figures of the organisation, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said on Saturday (Sep 21).
The arrests were made on Sep 18 and 19 in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Kedah.
Of the 200 arrested, 23 have been released on bail for various reasons, Malaysian media reported.
Police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan earlier this month, rescuing about 400 children who had allegedly been abused, some sexually.
The children rescued were aged between one and 17.
“Initial investigations revealed the victims were not only sodomised by the caretakers, but also taught to perform a similar act on the other children at the home,” Razarudin said, as reported by the New Straits Times on Sep 11.
“They were punished using heated metal objects when the victims commit mistakes and the suspects touched the victim’s body parts by claiming it was part of the religious medical treatment.” 
The CEO of GISB, Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, was arrested on Sep 19, along with his two wives and his children.
Nasiruddin denied allegations of widespread abuse at the care homes and other misconduct, though he acknowledged that “one or two” cases of sodomy occurred.
Police have said GISB is linked to a banned religious sect. Established in 2010, the conglomerate owns bakeries, minimarts and other businesses in Malaysia and elsewhere, with assets totalling around RM325 million (US$75.6 million) globally.
The Sultan of Selangor on Saturday expressed disappointment over the lack of effective action taken against GISB. 
“We must accept the fact that the delay in handling this issue highlighted the weaknesses in monitoring and enforcing laws by religious organisations against charity homes and religious schools linked to GISB,” said a statement from the Selangor Royal Office, as reported by the Star.
“The organisation’s network is so vast that this issue has become serious and out of control.”
The police reiterated on Saturday that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of child abuse.
“We are still committed to conducting a thorough investigation in this operation. We urge the public not to speculate on the case while the investigation is ongoing,” Razarudin said, as quoted by the Star.
He urged victims or people with information related to the case to come forward. 
“This will help to ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the matter,” said Razarudin.