KUALA LUMPUR: The son of a leader of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding (GISBH) was among five individuals arrested at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint yesterday evening.
The five men, travelling in two vehicles bearing the GISBH logo, were intercepted by border security as they attempted to enter Thailand.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the northern border intelligence unit spotted the vehicles at the ICQS Complex about 6pm on Wednesday.
"The vehicles were seen heading toward the Thai border, and checks were conducted with the assistance of the Kedah Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ), leading to the successful detention of the suspects," said Razarudin.
Among those arrested was a 39-year-old man, identified as the son of a GISB leader.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 41, were taken to the Kubang Pasu police headquarters for documentation. Several vehicles were also seized as part of the investigation.
This arrest follows a series of police raids conducted on September 11 at 20 charitable homes linked to GISB in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, after reports of child abuse and exploitation surfaced.
During the operation, codenamed Ops Global, 402 children were rescued, and 171 workers and caretakers were detained.
Police have since frozen many of GISB's assets and bank accounts to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
GISB is known to have roots in the former Al-Arqam movement, which was banned in 1993 for its deviant teachings.