Malaysian police arrest CEO of company accused in child sex abuse scandal

The CEO’s company allegedly ran the welfare homes from which authorities rescued over 400 children last week

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Three members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) escorted by Royal Malaysian Police officers depart after facing charges at a court in Seremban, Malaysia, on September 19. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:47pm, 19 Sep 2024

Malaysian police on Thursday arrested the chief executive of a company allegedly linked to a cult that is under investigation over accusations of physical and sexual abuse involving hundreds of children.

Police said over 400 boys and girls, aged between one and 17, were rescued during raids last week on welfare homes allegedly run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

When contacted, police chief Razarudin Husain confirmed to This Week in Asia that GISBH chief executive Nasiruddin Ali was among 19 suspected members of the group who were arrested during predawn raids on four houses in Kuala Lumpur.

The 19 were brought before a court in Shah Alam, on the outskirts of the city, for a remand application in the afternoon, according to a media notice sent out by police.

Razarudin was earlier quoted by local broadcaster Astro Awani as saying that the suspects were aged between 25 and 65 years old and included seven women.

A man linked to Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISB) covers his face as he is escorted by police officers after being charged in a court in Putrajaya on September 18. Photo: Reuters

GISBH has denied the allegations, saying it did not operate the homes where the alleged abuse took place.