Saifuddin is confident that the police will resolve the GISBH case involving exploitation and human trafficking efficiently and credibly

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — The efficiency and credibility of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) are believed to be able to solve investigations related to cases involving GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

If it is clear that there is exploitation of women and children, sexual crimes against children or human trafficking, action must be taken, he said today at the monthly meeting of the Ministry of Interior in Putrajaya, Bernama reported.

Without sharing the latest updates on the investigation, Saifuddin expressed optimism that PDRM would consider all aspects and conduct investigations under four laws, namely the Child Act 2001, Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, Anti-Trafficking in Person and Anti-Smoggling of Migrants. Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, and the Criminal Code.

He said 1,226 officials and staff, including from PDRM, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the National Registration Department, are involved in the investigation and efforts to address the matter.

Launched to combat child exploitation activities and allegations of religious fanaticism linked to GISBH, Op Global has now entered its fourth phase.

Since the first phase of Op Global began earlier this month, more than 300 people, including GISBH top management, have been detained, 572 victims have been rescued and eight individuals have been charged in court on 33 charges.

At a press conference afterwards, Saifuddin said that 80 research papers have been opened so far following the detention of 359 GISBH followers through Op Global across the country.

“So of the 80 investigation papers opened, the police and all agencies involved will obviously take time to complete and conclude the investigation before submitting it to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). Whether there will be prosecutions or not, that is within the jurisdiction of the AGC,” he said.

Earlier, Saifuddin in his address at the meeting said that 80 percent of the 64,000 PDRM homes across the country are fit for habitation, while another five percent, with minor repairs, could also become fit for habitation. These units requiring minor repairs will be prioritized for immediate action.

“Although the allocation is somewhat inadequate to address all the issues, especially in high-cost areas such as Kuching and Sarawak, this (quarter) is important because there (in Kuching) there are senior police officers, junior police officers and other personnel. forced to rent, which becomes a burden,” he said.

In Budget 2023, the government announced an allocation of more than RM500 million to maintain the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) family housing facility and renovate residential areas and institutions under KDN, including PDRM.