Malaysian Authorities Rescue 402 Children and Arrest 171 in Raids on Islamic Business Group.

Malaysia:

Malaysian authorities have rescued 402 children and arrested 171 suspects following a series of raids on welfare homes run by the Islamic business group Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, targeted 20 homes in central Selangor and southern Negeri Sembilan states, which were linked to allegations of child exploitation and sexual abuse.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain revealed that the raids came after investigations into reports of child abandonment, deviant teachings, and sexual assault. The rescued children, aged between 1 and 17 years, were reportedly subjected to severe abuse, including forced sexual acts and physical punishment. Caretakers were also accused of denying medical care to sick children until their conditions became critical.

The police investigation suggests that Global Ikhwan used religious sentiments to exploit the children and solicit donations. The children, many of whom had been placed in the homes by their parents since infancy, will undergo medical evaluations as investigations continue.

Global Ikhwan, which was founded by Ashaari Mohamad and previously known as Al Arqam, has faced scrutiny from Islamic authorities over alleged ties to deviant teachings. The group, which operates in various sectors including food and beverage, media, and medical services, has denied the exploitation allegations and pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation.