KUANTAN: The 402 children who were rescued by police from welfare homes located in Selangor and Negri Sembilan in a major police operation today are not orphans but were sent there willingly by their parents.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said investigations revealed their parents were also associated with the company.
"Their parents are members of the popular company and choose to send their children to the welfare homes when they are between one or two years old. (The) parents have knowledge about their children living in the premises.
"Our investigations revealed the children were taught how to commit sodomy, sodomised by their caretakers and performed similar acts on the other children at the premises. Children who were unwell were prevented from seeking treatment at clinics until their condition became critical.
"The children, along with religious sentiments were used to gain sympathy in order to secure contributions, while heated metal objects were used to harm the children as punishment when they commit wrongdoings.
"The suspects allegedly touched the victims body parts, claiming it was part of the religious medical treatment," he told reporters during a press conference at the Pahang police contingent headquarters here today.
Earlier, Razarudin said police had rescued 402 minors aged between one and 17-years-old, who were allegedly exploited and abused, including sexually, in a major operation across two states today codenamed Op Global.
Razarudin said police were investigating if the suspects 'inhumane act had led to any deaths at the welfare homes which might have gone unreported.
"We are recording the statements from the victims to check if there were any deaths involving the children. "We are also investigating what happened to children who had previously stayed in the premises and later left elsewhere," he said.
Razarudin said the group of companies was established in 2008 adopting religious doctrines to attract members to join.
He said to date investigations revealed, no political party members or prominent businessmen were involved.