KLANG: A private Muslim school in Bandar Bukit Raja here that was raided by police yesterday, appears to have been abandoned.
The New Straits Times dropped by at 12.30pm and found the school, located near the guard house, completely empty.
Most of the residents in the neighbourhood were at work, but a security guard could be seen going through his daily routine at the entrance of the residential area.
The security guard, in his 30s, said he saw several police vehicles near the area yesterday, but did not know why they were there.
He added the school had been operating for more than three years, and catered to children of all ages, from babies, to those between seven and nine years old.
Meanwhile, a resident identified only as Ah Chong, said he was not aware of the police raid, but added that he had seen children at the school yesterday.
"Yesterday, I saw them, but today, the school is quiet. I think the students were between seven and nine years old... some, younger. Sometimes, I would see babies being brought in and out of the school.
"From what I heard, this school has a problem with rent arrears. I also saw some officers from the local authorities dropping by... maybe due to licencing issues," said Ah Chong, in his 40s.
"Sometimes, I would see the children playing on the road, crossing here and there without supervision," he told the NST.
Another resident who declined to be identified said he noticed the heavy police presence in the area yesterday, around 8am.
"Sometimes, the children would be there, but then, they would disappear, sometimes for two weeks. Then, they would suddenly reappear."
In addition to the school, police are believed to have also raided a welfare centre nearby.
The centre, which had also been closed, was guarded by security personnel, and access was restricted.
It was reported yesterday that police rescued 402 children and teenagers in an integrated operation codenamed 'Ops Global'. The children, aged one to 17, were from 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, and were suspected of being victims of exploitation, neglect, and mistreatment.
The victims were also allegedly sodomised, and were taught to sexually assault others.
Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said, the victims comprised 201 children and adolescent boys, and 201 girls.
A total of 171 individuals, aged 17 to 64, including 105 women, were also arrested in the operation.
The investigation papers that were opened were under Section 31 (1) of the Children's Act 2001, Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and Section 354 of the Penal Code.