BANGI: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has stood firm that they will not be involved in the investigation into Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), as it falls under the jurisdiction of the police.
Its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the issues being investigated, including child exploitation, money laundering, and deviant teachings, are all matters for the police and religious authorities.
"I maintain my statement that the MACC will not be involved in the investigation into GISB.
"This matter involves the police and Jakim (The Islamic Development Department), as the issues I see include matters of ideology, children, money laundering, and so on.
"It falls more under the jurisdiction of the police, so the MACC will not interfere in this investigation," he told reporters at the National Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Research Conference, here, today.
Present was Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Azam also clarified that there is no issue of power abuse in GISB's case as it is a layman's company with no link to the government.
"They (GISB) don't even hold any authority.
"Abuse of power, in our context, refers to individuals who have the power to make decisions within the government. When that power is abused, we will investigate.
"In this case, they are members of the public. It's just an ordinary company, so it's a matter for the police," he said.
On Sept 17, Azam said MACC is not involved in the probe by police into GISB and he has not seen any corruption element based on the police investigations into the case.
Earlier this month, police launched a massive crackdown on welfare homes operated by GISB.
The raids saw 402 children, aged one to 17, being rescued from alleged exploitation and abuse.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said 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 has since denied the allegations and threatened legal action against those who defame the company.
However, key individuals including its chief executive officer and his wife were remanded last week to assist in police investigations.
Yesterday, Razarudin also confirmed that nearly 40 members of GISB are set to be rearrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) following the expiration of their remand.