A major child sexual abuse scandal has rocked Malaysia, with authorities rescuing over 400 children and teenagers from charity homes operated by a prominent Islamic business organization. The homes were linked to the now-defunct Al-Arqam religious sect.
In a coordinated raid on 20 premises across two states, police arrested 171 adults, including Islamic religious teachers, on suspicion of involvement in the abuse. The victims, aged between one and 17, were allegedly subjected to various forms of abuse, including sexual assault, molestation, and physical violence.
The homes were operated by Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), a multinational company with operations in several countries. GISB has denied the allegations of child exploitation but has admitted to having links to the banned Al-Arqam sect.
Police investigations revealed that the rescued children were primarily the offspring of GISB employees. They were sent to the charity homes at a young age and were allegedly subjected to a range of abuses, including sodomy and physical punishment.
The charity homes were also accused of using religious indoctrination to control the children and raise funds. Some victims reported being punished with hot spoons and being molested under the guise of medical treatment.
The rescued children will undergo health screenings and documentation, and authorities are investigating the case under laws related to child sexual abuse and human trafficking. The scandal has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children in religious institutions and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such abuses from happening again.
