KUALA LUMPUR – Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB Holdings) has denied accusations of its involvement in child labour, asserting that the claim is prejudiced and defamatory, with malicious intent to create a negative perception of the company.
This comes hours after police raided 20 welfare homes linked to the company, rescuing 402 children aged between one and 17 years from the care centers, where they were believed to have been victims of physical and sexual abuse.
In a statement, GISB Holdings, which is involved in various businesses locally and overseas, said it will not compromise on any activity that goes against the law, particularly regarding the exploitation of children as workers.
“Our stance to abide by laws and support the government’s aspirations to develop the nation has been very clear. We are ready to offer our cooperation to authorities to resolve this issue,” it added.
It also expressed its hope for everyone to live with love and tolerance while helping each other in building a civilised society, as aspired to by the nation’s leadership.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the welfare homes raided in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan are linked to GISB Holdings.
A total of 171 people, including teaching staff, dormitory custodians, and study centre managers, were also arrested in the operation conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Division.
Razarudin said police investigations found that the homes’ modus operandi was to educate the children before they were sodomized by caretakers, who would also force them to sodomise other children at the centers.
The nation’s top cop added that religious sentiments were used to garner sympathy in order for the homes to secure donations.
GISB Holdings’ officials are also reportedly scheduled to meet the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) over claims that the company was involved with deviant teachings related to the banned Al-Arqam sect. – September 11, 2024