KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 23): Nearly two weeks after the police launched Op Global, parents of the 572 children and teenagers rescued from a charity home linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd have yet to come forward to claim their children.
The parents are believed to be avoiding this to prevent the exposure of their tactic of presenting the charity home as an orphanage to solicit donations, when in fact, the children are the offspring of members of the organisation.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain revealed this during a press conference on Monday, stating that this constitutes an offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud.
Adding to the distress, some parents, who were arrested, denied that the children rescued were their own. In some cases, police interrogations revealed that some children, especially those under 12, claimed they did not even know who their parents are.
Currently, the rescued children have been placed in 11 safe houses by the Social Welfare Department. The Ministry of Education is also initiating an educational programme for over 300 of the rescued children from Oct 1.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the programme, using a special module, would involve a first phase lasting two months, with Phase 2 to be implemented if required.
In the fourth phase of the investigation launched on Saturday, the police discovered that GISB members had continued to practice the ‘Aurad Muhammadiyah’, a ritual associated with the Al-Arqam group, which was banned in 1994. Pamphlets and related books were found on GISB premises, and had been handed over to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for further action.
Razarudin said that the investigation into the organisation is now being pursued under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
As of Saturday, 153 GISB-related bank accounts had been frozen, totalling RM882,795, and 38 vehicles worth approximately RM3.94 million, along with 14 properties under investigation, had been seized as part of Op Global.
The freezing of assets was conducted under Section 44(1) of AMLATFPUAA, with seizures under Section 45(2) of the same Act.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the ruling on GISB’s doctrine would be announced after receiving the consent of the Conference of Rulers, which will meet in October.
Mohd Na’im said before a decision is made, the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, chaired by Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot, along with all state muftis, would hold meetings to discuss the matter from Tuesday to Thursday.
Read also:
IGP says 153 accounts linked to GISB worth over RM800,000 frozen
GISB members' practice deviated from true teachings of Islam — IGP
Decision on GISB doctrine expected after Conference of Rulers meeting in October — Mohd Na’im
GISB: MOE takes over education of rescued children
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