BANGI: The police are probing an organisation here following reports lodged over alleged child exploitation, says Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
He said that multiple reports have been lodged against it nationwide and added that four of the reports were lodged in Selangor.
“It is in connection with child exploitation allegations. We are investigating the matter under Section 32(a) of the Child Act 2001” he said.
The Deputy IGP said this after attending the Student Police Volunteer Corps (Suksis) graduation ceremony at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on Saturday (Sept 7).
He said the allegations against the organisation include using children to collect donations and employing personnel without proper benefits.
“There are also reports of its followers or personnel being mistreated for minor offences. Its members or followers are people from all walks of life including professionals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ayob Khan said that the Special Branch Department has a list of 114 organisations linked to suspected deviant teachings.
“14 organisations are active and eight are under surveillance,” he said.
The police have received a total of 80 police reports on deviant teachings since 2022, Ayob Khan said.
“A total of 122 individuals were detained following the reports lodged. We are working closely with state religious authorities to curb deviant teachings in the country especially as it might lead to extremism and militancy,” he said.
On deviant teachings and extremism being spread online, Ayob Khan said the police are working closely with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take down such posts.
“The police through the Special Branch and CID are monitoring the matter. We are also cooperating with relevant authorities such as the MCMC to curb such teachings,” he said.
He said the police are also aware that sites such as Telegram are being used for various negative things, including online gambling, pornography and scams.
“This is why the government is introducing licensing for social media sites so that it can be regulated,” he said.
On Friday (Sept 6), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said he will engage with the organisation following allegations of it being connected to Al-Arqam teachings and child exploitation.
