KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Askume) – Malaysian authorities on Thursday arrested the chief executive and other senior officials of an Islamic group allegedly running a charity to sexually abuse children , as police crack down on a case.
Nasiruddin Mohamed Ali, head of Global Ikhwan Services & Business (GISB) Holdings Bhd, was detained along with 18 people during dawn raids on four houses in Kuala Lumpur, the police inspector-general said, adding that the company had links to banned religious sects .
Lazaruddin said five other people linked to the company were also detained at the Thai border.
A GISB representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Naseeruddin and his lawyer could not immediately be reached.
Local media had earlier reported the arrest.
On Saturday, GISB’s Naseeruddin denied allegations of widespread abuse and other inappropriate behaviour in youth care homes, but admitted there had been “one or two” cases of sodomy.
Police rescued more than 400 children and teenagers last week from shelters run by GISB, though the company denies running them. Officials said many of those rescued showed signs of neglect, physical and sexual abuse.
Lazaruddin said those detained on Thursday included Nasiruddin’s two wives, their children and several children of the late Malaysian preacher Ashari Mohammed, the founder of the sect, which was banned by the government in 1994 for spreading unusual Islamic teachings.
Lazaruddin said three men detained by police during the GISB investigation were also charged separately in court on Thursday.
The men, who have pleaded not guilty, face multiple charges of allegedly sexually abusing boys at a religious school in Negeri Sembilan state, according to a court charge sheet seen by Askume.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, caning or both.
Police previously charged two other people in the investigation into GISB , which operates in more than 20 countries and covers small supermarkets, restaurants and travel services. The company has also been investigated for money laundering, religious offenses and other crimes.
