A Timeline of Global Op: 402 Children Rescued, Abuse Discovered in Nursing Homes Linked to Global Ikhwan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — On Sept 11, police conducted a Global Op that raided 20 charities linked to GlSB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) for alleged involvement in child exploitation and alleged doctrine of intolerance.

After the raid, a total of 402 residents of the charity home were rescued and 171 people between the ages of 17 and 64 were arrested.

This is the chronology of the case so far:

August 16

The Malaysia Centre for the Study of Heresy (PUKAS) has exposed the alleged heresy activities in GISBH through its official Facebook page.

September 6

Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin took to his official Facebook page to raise the issue of violence and brutality associated with GISBH. This issue requires investigation and intervention by the authorities.

September 11

Police have raided 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan believed to be belonging to GISBH and arrested 171 people to investigate cases of child and religious exploitation. Police said a total of 402 people, 201 males and 201 females between the ages of one and 17, were rescued during the operation. Of the children, a total of 10 are persons with disabilities (OKU) and autism and were handed over to the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) after screening.

The remaining 392 underwent a health check at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur.

GISBH has issued a statement denying allegations that it exploits child workers and has said it will not compromise on activities that violate the law, especially when children are involved.

A general view shows the headquarters of Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) in Rawang, outside Kuala Lumpur, on September 12, 2024. — AFP pic

September 12

Documentation of rescued children continues in Pulapol Kuala Lumpur.

A 19-year-old teenage girl was charged in the Seremban Sessions Court, Negeri Sembilan with four counts of physical abuse against four girls aged between five and six at a daycare centre in Seremban linked to GISBH. The accused pleaded not guilty.

September 13

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain held a second press conference on the case and revealed that a total of 41 police reports relating to GISBH have been received since 2011 until September this year.

In total, 159 of the 171 arrested persons have been remanded in custody. The rest are minors and do not need to be investigated.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that faith, abuse of power and religion and child abuse are serious issues that must be addressed immediately.

September 14

During the IGP’s third press conference, it was stated that the raid on 20 charities by Op Global was the result of six months of police intelligence and investigation.

However, the investigation into the company has been ongoing since 2011 and police spoke to PUKAS representatives six months ago.

September 15

Police confirmed that 483 people recorded conversations, including complainants, witnesses, victims and suspects.

A total of 384 children and teenagers underwent a health check. The results of the screening showed signs of neglect and abuse.

September 17

The national police chief confirmed that 96 accounts belonging to GISBH have been frozen and four accounts have been closed with assets worth more than RM581,000.

All 392 victims rescued through Op Global have undergone medical screening. Physical and emotional criminal elements have been found.

Three investigative papers on Op Global were filed with the Department of Justice.

September 18

A businessman who is also a member of the GISBH, Mohamad Riza Makar, has pleaded not guilty at the Putrajaya magistrate’s court near the city to charges that he threatened a woman on September 9 last year.

A total of 19 people, including the CEO of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding (GISBH) and his wife, were produced before the Shah Alam magistrate’s court seeking a seven-day remand order, effective September 18, 2024. — Bernama pic

September 19

19 people, including top managers, wives and several leaders of GISBH, were detained for seven days to assist with the investigation.

Three student assistants at a madrassa in Kuala Pilah, suspected of having links to GISBH, have been charged at the Seremban Sessions Court in Negeri Sembilan with 14 counts of sexually abusing five children in 2022 and 2023. They have pleaded not guilty.

September 20

Another seven people suspected of having links to GISBH were arrested to assist in the investigation of human trafficking cases. Among them is the son of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Mohammad, a Youth Defender of the Ummah (RPU) GISB group.

Another teaching assistant at a madrassa in Kuala Pilah was charged in the Seremban court last year and pleaded guilty to six counts of sexually abusing four boys.

The special meeting of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee has decided that the beliefs and teachings in GISBH contain elements of heresy, especially inner teachings. — Bernama