Deceiving facade: The exterior condition of one of the charity homes. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
402 abused children rescued in sweeping charity home raids
PETALING JAYA: The children slept in cramped rooms, with many beds in one room – even worse, some were forced to sleep on the floor with just filthy pillows.On top of such neglect, they also suffered outright physical and mental abuse, including molestation and sexual assault.
They were not allowed medical treatment when ill, while a few younger children were burnt with hot spoons.
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All these horrific events happened inside homes that were meant to protect the children.
The horror finally came to an end yesterday when authorities raided 20 homes and rescued 402 children aged between one and 17.
A total of 171 people were also arrested in the raids on the homes linked to the Global Ikhwan Group (GISB).
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The tipping point came when investigations were launched into a charity home in Port Dickson after a report was made alleging child abandonment, sexual assault and molestation, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told a press conference at the Pahang police headquarters yesterday.
He said the initial case led to six arrests, with suspects aged between 20 and 50.
Those arrested include caretakers, the house manager and religious teachers.
Following that, the police launched Op Global, leading to the large-scale raids early yesterday at 20 homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan by police, along with other authorities such as the Health Ministry and the Welfare Department.
Raids were conducted at homes in Hulu Selangor, North Klang, Shah Alam, Sepang, Kajang, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Seremban and Nilai.
Investigations showed that the children were forced to live in deplorable conditions and were subjected to sexual harassment and abuse by caretakers.
“They were also forced to molest other inmates, according to intelligence and statements gathered. “Those who were sick were not allowed to seek medical attention until their condition became critical.
“There were a few children, aged five, who were burnt with a hot spoon when they made mistakes.
“The caretakers also touched the children’s bodies as if to conduct medical checks.
“The child victims and religious sentiments were used to gather funds,” he said.
Of the 171 arrested, 66 were men and 105 women. They were aged between 17 and 64.
“The rescued children will be sent for health checks and will be placed at Pulapol, Kuala Lumpur,” Razarudin said.
Asked if there is a possibility that some children had died in the homes, he said it is plausible.
“This is also something we suspect but it requires more investigations.
“We are trying to get statements from members who have children there,” Razarudin said, adding that the children are not orphans.
“They are actually the children of GISB members.
“Based on our information, they will be placed in these homes when they are around one or two years old with the consent of their parents.
“They stay there until they are 17,” he said.
Razarudin added that between 2011 and Sept 7 this year, police had received 41 police reports against the business group.
“There were also reports lodged by members who had left GISB.
“When they lodged reports, there were threats that led to them retracting the reports.
“We want to retrace these victims and their reports,” he said.
