Child sex abuse allegations in Malaysia care homes: Businessman linked to GISB claims trial
Sign up now: Get insights on the biggest stories in Malaysia
Mohamad Riza Makar, 39, allegedly threatened a 25-year-old woman to withdraw her police report against GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd.
PHOTO: AFP
PUTRAJAYA - A 39-year-old businessman associated with GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd claimed trial to a charge of criminal intimidation against a woman at a magistrate court.
Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) is linked to welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan where some children were allegedly sexually abused.
The accused, Mohamad Riza Makar, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Ahmad Afiq Hasan on Sept 18.
Mohamad Riza allegedly threatened a 25-year-old woman to withdraw her police report against GISB.
According to the charge sheet, the accused threatened the victim by saying: “Kami tahu dekat mana rumah, suami dan keluarga (We know where your house, husband and family are).”
It is believed Mohamad Riza committed the offence at Galeria parking lot in Presint 4, Putrajaya at about 10pm on Sept 9.
He was charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohd Sabri Othman asked for bail to be set at RM30,000 (S$9,165) with two sureties, Mohamad Riza’s passport to be surrendered to the court, and for the accused to report to the police station once a month.
Mohamad Riza’s lawyer Zulfikri Ulul Azmin argued that the bail amount was too high as his client was only a businessman with a monthly income of RM4,000.
Mr Zulfikri added that Mohamad Riza has three wives and 10 children to care for and asked for the bail to be lowered.
The lawyer claimed the alleged offence did not involve serious threats and was not linked to any recent GISB cases that had grabbed headlines.
DPP Mohd Sabri refuted the lawyer, adding that the offence had affected the victim’s mental state.
Mohamad Riza also requested lower bail, citing the recent birth of one of his children and his need of money for his children’s schooling expenses.
Magistrate Ahmad Afiq allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety, asked for Mohamad Riza’s international passport to be handed over to the court, and required him to report to the police station nearest to his residence once a month.
On Sept 11, police rescued 402 children, comprising 201 boys and 201 girls aged between one and 17, from care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan in a rescue operation codenamed Ops Global.
On Sept 13, police revealed they were investigating allegations that 13 of the rescued children were sodomised.
A total of 171 suspects, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested, including a teacher and dorm caretakers. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
