Child sexual abuse, links to organized crime: Police hand over three investigation documents on Global Ikhwan to AGC; requests extension of pre-trial detention for 155 suspects

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Police will submit three investigation documents relating to the “Op Global” operations to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said today.

He explained that two of the documents relate to investigations under the Negeri Sembilan Child Sexual Offences Act, while the third relates to a case under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

During the first phase of the study, a total of ten newspapers were opened: six in Selangor and four in Negeri Sembilan.

“For the second phase, 23 investigation papers have been opened in four states: Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Razarudin also said that police will request an extension of the suspects’ pre-trial detention to allow for further investigation.

Razarudin said that in the second phase of the investigation, 16 documents were opened under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 in the Selangor contingent, while two documents were opened under the same section in Negeri Sembilan.

“In Perlis, one investigation document was opened under Section 427 of the Penal Code. In Kuala Lumpur, one document was opened under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, along with two documents under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he said.

He also indicated that the application for extension of pre-trial detention concerns 155 suspects in Selangor, whose pre-trial detention period expires tomorrow, and two suspects in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, whose pre-trial detention expired today.

“The remand period of two suspects in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan has been extended from last Sunday until September 21,” he added.

In addition, police recorded statements from 740 people, including 30 complainants, 216 witnesses, 392 victims and 102 suspects.

He stated that the police are actively investigating the case to ensure transparency and fairness and to prevent injustice or unjust prosecution of suspects.

He added that two police reports were received yesterday regarding suspected child abuse committed by members of the same company.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that two viral videos, which were widely circulated and shared on social media, formed the basis for these reports,” he said.

“Two investigation documents have been opened which are classified under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He also noted that the father of the child featured in one of the viral videos filed a police report at the Kluang police station in Johor yesterday. The father confirmed that the child in the video is his son, although they have been separated since 2021.

Meanwhile, Razarudin revealed that the investigation into Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holding (GISB) has revealed links to organised crime.

“The detected modus operandi involves moving individuals to evade detection by authorities. It is notable that the victims were not housed in one location; their placements changed frequently, including those we managed to rescue,” he said.

“For example, twin victims were moved several times. When we recorded their conversations, they remembered an old nursing home, but eventually we rescued them from another location,” he added.

Travel restrictions have also been imposed on GISB in connection with this exploitation case, following allegations of non-transparency in the investigation, he said. — Bernama