Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia's charity home abuse scandal
The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.
MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife. The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman's criminal investigation department at multiple locations.
As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO's two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.
Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.
The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.
Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.
The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.
At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.
GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.
However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.
In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.
The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.
Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.
