GISBH supporters have no money to flee to Thailand, says IGP

According to IGP Razarudin Husain, police intelligence and investigations indicate that no GISBH supporter has fled to the country’s borders.

PETALING JAYA: Police suspect that supporters of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) are still in the country because they do not have the financial means to flee to neighbouring countries such as Thailand.

According to Police Inspector General Razarudin Husain, their finances were controlled by the group’s leaders. They were recently arrested and their accounts frozen, Bernama reported.

“The top of GISBH has been arrested, so those below them cannot escape. GISBH followers are hiding (in the country) because they have no money, salary or other means to escape,” he was quoted as saying.

Razarudin also said that there is no place in Thailand where they can seek refuge.

“Even if they fled to Thailand, where would they go?” he said.

According to him, police information and research show that not a single GISBH supporter fled to the country’s borders.

He also confirmed claims that establishments such as laundromats, motels, pharmacies and restaurants linked to GISBH in several states changed their signage following the police operations.

“We have identified them and are investigating the matter,” he said.

On September 11, police rescued 402 children and teenagers from 20 homes allegedly linked to GISBH in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, suspected of being victims of abuse and sexual exploitation.

Utusan Malaysia reported that five children, including three siblings, were found during a raid on two charitable institutions believed to be run by GISBH. They are being treated at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, Pahang.

According to Razali Kassim, chairman of the Public Works, Transport and Health Committee, the children, aged between four and 12, had been referred to hospital because of abuse and neglect.

According to him, initial inspections found burns and bruises on their bodies.

The children were rescued after raids on September 21 on two charity homes linked to GISBH in Kampung Paya Pulai Tengah and Taman Bukit Semantan near Temerloh.

According to Razali, no identification documents of the children were found during the raids.