KOTA BARU: Residents here claim that a company linked to a child exploitation case didn't do anything that broke the law.
Many said they were shocked to hear about the company's activities in two states that were exposed by the police recently.
Car wash operator Hasrom Md Nor said the company's branch in Kelantan was located in the town.
"The company was set up in Kelantan more than 20 years ago and, as far as l know, it operates restaurants and a hotel.
"Every time I passed the company's office, I saw only adult workers. There were no children."
A sundry shop owner, who wanted to be known only as Mat Yie, 38, said he believed the company hadn't committed any wrongdoings.
"They have been operating the business well, especially the restaurant. I have taken my friends there and the workers were friendly and not underaged."
A survey this afternoon showed that the company was operating as usual.
Meanwhile, a spokesman from the state religious department said it hadn't received any report about the child exploitation case in Kelantan.
It was reported today that police would continue to monitor a local branch of a company suspected of being involved in a child exploitation case.
Acting Kelantan police chief Deputy Commissioner Mohd Ali Tamby said the investigation was overseen by Bukit Aman.
He said no reports had been filed against the company in Kelantan.
Yesterday (Sept 11), Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police had rescued 402 minors from alleged exploitation in two states.
The victims, aged between 1 and 17, were allegedly exploited at 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
Razarudin said the victims, who are locals, had been exploited and abused, including being sodomised.
The authorities rescued 201 boys and 201 girls from 18 charity homes in Selangor and two in Negri Sembilan.