KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is investigating funds donated to the 20 raided care centres believed to be linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said apart from investigating possible human trafficking offences, the police are investigating funds related to the care centres and other centres as well.
“We believe the care centres have other sponsors, other than GISB.
“There also old folks home which received funds from GISB and other sources as well,” he told a press conference at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) on Friday (Sept 13).
The IGP also refuted claims that the rescued children were not allowed to pray.
“They were allowed to do so. They take turns (to pray) under police surveillance for their safety.
“It is nonsense to say that we did not let them pray. In fact they are placed here (at the Police Training Centre), which has a mosque,” he said.
He was commenting on a viral video of an individual believed to be from GISB, who claimed that the rescued victims were not allowed to pray.
Asked about claims that the police delayed taking action on police reports lodged against GISB, Razarudin said the investigation has been conducted since 2011.
“We made the arrests after we received credible leads that enable such action to be made,” he said.
He also denied allegations that the police had allowed GISB to operate following a visit by a former top police officer to a care centre.
“The investigation on GISB is confidential, in fact, other officers (not involved in the investigation) are not privy to it.
“Visiting a place does not mean we give a green light. I was also photographed with other individuals, but that does not mean I supported them,” he said.
On Sept 11, police rescued 402 children, comprising 201 boys and 201 girls, aged between one and 17, from the 20 care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan in a rescue operation codenamed Ops Global.
A total of 171 suspects, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested, including a teacher and dorm caretakers.
