After raids and arrests, Bukit Aman sets limits on social media for GISBH content

SHAH ALAM, Sept 22 – Police are monitoring social media for statements related to the ongoing criminal investigation into Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH).

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said a special team from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been tasked with this surveillance. Sinar Harian reported today.

“This came after it was discovered that people with ties to GISBH, former members and others had made statements or revelations on social media.

“We (the police) request these people to come forward and assist in the investigation if there are any revelations or information,” he was quoted as saying when asked by the Malay daily.

Razarudin said investigations were ongoing following yesterday's raids, codenamed “Op Global,” carried out across the peninsula.

“We are focusing on this matter first before moving on to the next phase,” he told the newspaper.

The cases are being investigated under section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001 and section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

The national news agency Bernama reported that nearly 200 people have been arrested since the GISBH child sexual exploitation scandal came to light on September 11.

That day, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain announced the arrest of 171 people linked to the local business, allegedly of Islamic descent, on suspicion of several criminal activities, including sodomy of children and inciting similar sexual acts on other minors.

He announced that police had rescued over 400 children in 20 raids on social homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

The raids were prompted by 41 police reports that had been received against the company between 2011 and September 7 of this year.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay had highlighted the child exploitation scandal on 8 September without mentioning GISBH by name.

Yesterday, Razaruddin said 155 people, including CEO Datuk Nasaruddin Ali and 77 women, had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the group's alleged criminal activities.

The arrests were made during raids on 82 buildings, including charitable homes, business clinics, madrasas and private homes.

At the same time, the police rescued another 186 people, including 102 men and 84 women.

Among the minors rescued was a child whose image was widely shared on social media after he was beaten with a stick by a man suspected to be a GISBH member.

GISBH CEO Nasaruddin admitted that there were “one or two” incidents of sodomy within the group in the first few days after the first police raids. However, he denied the abuse allegations and said the group would take legal action against those who defamed him.