Bukit Aman has refuted allegations that Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) was protected by the authorities.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said senior police officers, including himself being photographed previously with those linked to the company, were not a form of endorsement for the company.
“Wrong is wrong. If our investigation uncovers evidence of criminal activities such as deviant teachings or sexual crimes, appropriate action will be taken,” he told a press conference at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) on Friday (Sept 13).
He was asked to comment on photographs of a retired senior police officer allegedly visiting a GISBH premises in Rawang, going viral online.
“I believe it was one of his last visits before he retired. Allegations that he visited the place to ‘bless’ them, is totally rubbish.
“Visiting a place does not mean we give a green light. I was also photographed with other individuals (linked to GISBH) during a previous horse endurance race in Terengganu. It does not mean I supported them,” he said.
Razarudin said the investigation on GISBH is confidential.
“In fact, other officers (not involved in the investigation) are not privy to it,” 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.
Razarudin said police have been investigating the company since 2011, long before allegations against GISBH went viral on social media recently.
He said police also met representatives of Pusat Kajian Ajaran Sesat six months ago.
“They were the ones who channelled initial information and facilitated the re-opening of investigations of various police reports lodged against GISBH,” he said.
In addition, Razarudin said police also received a report lodged by a former GISBH member from Negeri Sembilan who, however, retracted the report.
“The woman later lodged a new report and we opened investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001,” he said.
He said the woman also gave police credible leads for action to be taken.
Razarudin said although investigations began six months ago, police were not slow to act and that they could only make arrests after receiving credible leads.
“I urge former GISBH members who had lodged police reports before retracting them to come forward and help in investigations,” he said.
The police have 39 more welfare homes under GISBH on their radar.
“The 39 welfare homes are all over the country,” Razarudin said.
He did not rule out the possibility of further action by the police.