Malaysian Firm Faces Child Abuse Allegations in Charity Home Scandal
Malaysian conglomerate GISB under investigation for alleged child abuse in charity homes. CEO admits to "one or two" cases of sodomy as authorities rescue 402 children and detain 159 suspects.
In a shocking development, Malaysian authorities have launched an investigation into Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) Holdings, an Islamic conglomerate, following allegations of widespread child abuse in charity homes. The case has brought attention to the ongoing issue of child protection in Malaysia, a country that ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995.
On September 13, 2023, Malaysian police conducted raids on several charity homes allegedly run by GISB, rescuing 402 children and detaining 159 individuals for questioning. Health screenings revealed that many of the children had injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, with 13 confirmed cases of sodomy.
Nasiruddin Ali, the CEO of GISB, responded to the allegations in a video statement posted on the company's official Facebook page on September 16, 2023. While denying most of the accusations, he admitted to "one or two" cases of sodomy occurring at the homes. Ali stated:
"Indeed, there were one or two cases of sodomy, but why lump them (the cases) all together?"
The CEO also acknowledged that the company had broken some unspecified laws but questioned the approach taken by authorities:
"I don't want to blame the laws. It's true we have done some wrongs in the eyes of the law but couldn't there be some advice or discussions first?"
GISB has been linked to Al-Arqam, a religious sect banned by the Malaysian government in 1994. The Al-Arqam movement, founded in 1968 by Ashaari Muhammad, has been a subject of controversy in the country's religious landscape.
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), established in 1997, announced plans to present a report on suspected deviant teachings involving GISB to the cabinet, the national religious affairs council, and the Conference of Rulers. This move highlights the seriousness with which Malaysian authorities are treating the case, given that Islam is the official religion of the country, practiced by about 61% of the population.
The investigation may expand to include financial offences, with some of GISB's accounts already frozen and assets seized. This development brings the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into play, as they are responsible for investigating financial crimes in the country.
This case has brought renewed attention to child protection laws in Malaysia, including the Child Act 2001 and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. It also underscores the challenges faced by the country's dual legal system, where Sharia courts run parallel to secular courts based on English common law.
As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of child protection in Malaysia's rapidly growing economy. The country, which gained independence from British rule in 1957 and is now classified as a newly industrialized country, continues to grapple with balancing its economic progress with social welfare and child safety concerns.
