Malaysian authorities have rescued more than 400 children and young people suspected of being sexually abused at a charity centre run by a prominent Islamic business organisation with links to a banned religious sect, a police official said on Wednesday.
Police conducted simultaneous raids on 20 premises across two Malaysian states and arrested 171 adults, including “ustaz” (Islamic teachers), said Inspector General of Police Razaruddin Hussein.
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Lazaruddin told a news conference that 201 boys and girls aged between one and 17 were rescued after a report was filed this month alleging neglect, abuse, sexual harassment and molestation, without identifying who wrote the report.
All the facilities were run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), Lazaruddin said.
Malaysian authorities have rescued more than 400 children and young people suspected of sexual abuse. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
GISB is a Malaysian company that operates a wide range of businesses from supermarkets to laundromats, and according to its website, has operations in several countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France, Australia and Thailand.
GISB did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the sexual abuse allegations.
In a statement, GISB denied separate social media reports that the company had exploited children as laborers, saying it was not involved in any illegal activities and would cooperate with authorities to resolve the issue.
Razaruddin said preliminary police investigations had revealed that the rescued minors were children of GISB employees in Malaysia and were sent to the institution soon after birth where they were subjected to various forms of abuse.
The victims were allegedly raped by their adult guardians and then taught to rape other children at the facility.
GISB is allegedly linked to the Malaysia-based Al-Arqam religious sect, which was banned by the government in 1994 and is now disbanded. GISB acknowledges this connection but now describes itself as an Islamic conglomerate based on Islamic practices.
The company had previously attracted attention for its controversial views on marriage, including promoting polygamy among Muslims and founding the “Obedient Wives Club”, which called on women to submit to their husbands “like whores”.
Lazaruddin said some children who protested or misbehaved inside the facility had hot spoons pressed against their arms, injuring them, and some were sexually abused in the name of Islamic treatment.
“Children and religious sentiments were also used to garner public sympathy and raise funds for the organisation,” he said of GISB.
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“What we've seen is the use of religious paraphernalia in harmful ways to indoctrinate children.”
The children will be sent for medical examinations and documentation, Lazaruddin said, adding that the case is being investigated under laws on sexual offences against children and human trafficking.
