KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd is shaping up into a probe of an organised crime syndicate, Malaysia's top cop said.
The top management of the company has also been placed on a no-fly list.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the current police focus is to complete investigations that have been opened under the first two phases of Op Global.
"Yes, our investigations are leading toward the company being probed for organised crime," he told reporters here today.
Based on current investigations, Razarudin said there was a clear organisational structure involved in these welfare homes.
"Our investigations show that the company posted one manager to supervise several homes per zone.
"Our checks revealed that these 'abang and kakak' in charge were aged between 17 and 20," he said.
Meanwhile, when asked, Razarudin said the top management of GISB were barred from leaving the country at the start of Op Global.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/09/1105561/igp-gisbh-watch...
It was reported yesterday that GISB has been on the police 'watch list' since 2011, and the coordinated raids on 20 welfare homes were the culmination of a six-month probe to gather intelligence, build a case, and formulate an action plan.
Police had been monitoring the company long before the recent allegations of child exploitation and abuse went viral on social media.
Razarudin had said that he met with representatives from the Research Centre for Deviant Teachings (Pukas) six months ago.
Wednesday's raids saw 402 children, aged one to 17, being rescued from alleged exploitation and abuse.
Razarudin said the victims had endured various forms of exploitation and abuse, including being sodomised.
He also said initial investigations revealed that caretakers had also taught the children to sodomise other children.
GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd has since denied the allegations and any links to the case.