KUALA LUMPUR: The police confirm arresting 31 GISB Holdings (GISBH) members, including 17 who hold positions in the organisation, in an operation starting Sept 18 around Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, and Kedah, near the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain in a statement today said in total, there had been 200 arrests linked to the organisation.
He said a seven-day remand had been granted for all arrests, and the investigation is being conducted under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
"The 139 suspects previously detained have had their remand extended, and 23 others have been granted police bail for certain reasons.
"To date, the police had opened 37 investigation papers, including three additional cases on Sept 17, in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and one in Sungai Kapar, Selangor, under Section 14 of the ATIPSOM.
"Out of the total, eight investigation papers involving seven suspects have successfully led to 29 charges."
Razarudin added that all victims aged 18 and above had been handed over to their guardians, while those under 18 had been placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department under Section 25(2) of the Children Act 2001.
The police, he said, were committed to conducting a thorough investigation into this operation, and he also advised the public not to make any speculation while the investigation was still ongoing.
He urged any individual who had been victims or possessed information related to this case to come forward and report to the nearest police station.
"This will help to ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the matter," said Razarudin.