KUALA LUMPUR: Phase four of Op Global has seen police arresting 155 more suspects linked to the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH).
Inspector-General of police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said they raided 82 premises comprising welfare homes, clinics, business premises and residential units in Peninsular Malaysia on Saturday.
"We also rescued 186 victims, comprising 102 males and 84 females. They include several children who were captured on video allegedly being caned by members of the company," he said today.
He said all those arrested would be investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act and Section 14 of the Anti Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act.
"Phase four of our operations is focused on tracking down the remnant members of the organisation.
"A total of 3,801 personnel comprising 2,528 police and 1,273 personnel from the Health Ministry, Welfare Department, Chemistry Department and National Registration Department were involved," he said, adding that the 155 arrested comprised 78 men and 77 women.
Razarudin said police and the Islamic Development Department also managed to seize pamphlets that contained elements believed to be contrary to the teachings of Islam.
"Other items seized were believed to be linked to superstitious practices. Some of the raids conducted also revealed that premises had been left vacant believed to be because GISBH members had fled," he said.
Razarudin advised individuals who had been victimised or those with information on the company to come forward and help in investigations.
GISBH had been at the centre of police investigations after raids on 20 welfare homes in Sept 11 led to the rescue of 402 children.
Subsequent screenings found that many of the children had suffered physical and emotional abuse.
During the course of investigations, police also revealed that 13 of the children had also been sodomised. GISB has since denied the allegations of child exploitation and sexual abuse.