Child sex abuse allegations in Malaysia welfare homes: GISB leader denies slavery claims

PETALING JAYA - Although he admits that there were “one or two isolated cases of sodomy” in its midst, the top leader of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) denies accusations of human trafficking and slavery within the group.

As the company hit the headlines this past week following police raids over

allegations of child abuse and exploitation,

GISB executive director Nasiruddin Mohd Ali also said he was disgusted by claims of children within its community having been groomed to sodomise others.

GISB, he added, is mulling over legal action over the matter.

In a 20-minute recording released by GISB on Sept 14, Datuk Nasiruddin said its bank accounts were frozen by the authorities.

He then called for public funding in the group’s battle against those who he said had slandered its members.

“I have been with this community for 44 years, and there were never issues of followers drinking water that had been used to wash the feet of leaders and such.

“Then, there were the arrests of GISB members and allegations of sodomy cropping up.

“We may have cases of breaking the law, but could there not have been discussions (with the authorities) before the massive raids of the centres with more than 400 innocent children?” he questioned.

“Yes, there were one or two cases of sodomy among the children, but why generalise all the other innocent children across the board and accuse us of human trafficking and slavery?”

Mr Nasiruddin also took issue with the raids on the centres, which, according to him, were done in a hurried manner with no prior discussions with GISB.

“I regret that such a disgusting act (sodomy) was publicised in such a manner, without proof being shown that such acts have allegedly been taking place for 30 years in our community,” he added in the clip.

Mr Nasiruddin said the authorities should have questioned the organisation’s leaders with regard to how they care for the children.

“I did not speak up earlier for fear of aggravating the situation. Our lawyers will start the legal process from tomorrow against such slander,” he said.

“The most disgusting slander is about children having been groomed to sodomise others. The children having been forced to undergo medical examinations also tires them. I am not denying there were cases, but why generalise GISB as having endorsed such actions for all?”

Mr Nasiruddin said GISB premises are also starting to be sealed by the authorities.

“Our businesses have suffered due to these attacks. Our products are all certified halal by Jakim (the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia), but due to the slanderous claims, many are returning our products.”

GISB is currently at the centre of a storm after police rescued 402 children – 201 boys and 201 girls aged between one and 17 – from 20 care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, in an operation codenamed Op Global, on Sept 11.

A total of 171 suspects, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested, including a teacher and dormitory caretakers.

On Sept 13, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said that some of the children were allegedly sodomised and groomed to sodomise others.

Police also said they are investigating the source of funds of the care homes raided.

Following the video release by Mr Nasiruddin, Tan Sri Razarudin said he was free to make any statements, but “we will still conduct our own investigation about the alleged sodomy concerning the 13 children”.

“As I said before, our investigations are still at an early stage. We will conduct a thorough probe to ensure justice is served,” he said when contacted for comment on Sept 14.

The country’s top policeman also did not rule out the possibility of Mr Nasiruddin being called up to have his statement recorded to assist in ongoing investigations. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK