Prominent Business Group Leaders Arrested in Malaysia for Alleged Abuse in Charity Homes

In a shocking turn of events, the chief executive and other leaders of a prominent business group in Malaysia have been arrested on allegations of physical and sexual abuse in charity homes. Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, the head of Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), along with 18 other individuals, were apprehended following a police raid in Kuala Lumpur, as confirmed by Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.

The arrests come in the wake of the recent rescue of 402 children and youth from care homes allegedly operated by GISB. These premises, spread across two states, were found to exhibit signs of neglect and were reportedly the site of physical and sexual abuse. Last week, authorities conducted coordinated raids, resulting in the arrest of 171 adults, including religious teachers and caretakers, who were allegedly involved in the management of these homes.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the affected children, aged between 1 and 17, were the offspring of Malaysian employees of GISB, placed in these homes since infancy. Shockingly, some of these children were subjected to sodomy by their guardians and were even taught to sexually abuse each other. Medical screenings have confirmed that at least 13 teenagers were victims of sodomy, while 172 children suffered long-term physical and emotional injuries.

The police chief disclosed that the children were denied necessary medical attention and subjected to punishment, such as being burned with hot metal spoons, for disobedience. It is believed that these children were exploited to collect public donations. As part of the ongoing investigation into sexual abuse, child neglect, human trafficking, and money laundering, authorities have frozen 96 bank accounts linked to GISB, with a total value of 581,000 ringgit ($137,000).

In a separate operation, five individuals associated with the company were arrested at the Thailand border. Additionally, three men, who were part of the GISB investigation, were charged in court for allegedly sexually assaulting boys at a religious school in Negeri Sembilan state. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, caning, or both.

The business group, GISB, which describes itself as an “Islamic” company involved in various businesses across more than 20 countries, has denied managing the care homes. However, the company has been linked to the now-defunct Malaysia-based Al-Arqam religious sect, which was banned by the government in 1994 for being deemed heretical.