Malaysian firm executives accused of child abuse

SELAYANG, MALAYSIA — Executives at a Malaysian conglomerate linked to an outlawed cult were charged Wednesday with being members of an organized crime group after police raids uncovered horrifying stories of child abuse at the organization.

Naseeruddin Ali, 65, chief executive of Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), his wife Azura Yusof and 20 senior executives heard the charges in court in the city of Selayang in Selangor state near the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The one-page indictment said Naseeruddin and others were identified as members of an “organized crime group” known as GISB Holdings.

Defense lawyer Rosli Kamaruddin said he would ask the attorney general to either reconsider or drop the charges.

The court fixed December 23 for further hearing and no bail was granted. The group’s applications will be heard at a later date in the High Court.

If found guilty, they face up to 20 years in prison.

The accused – 13 men and nine women – were brought into court under heavy police guard and shackled in chains, AFP reporters saw.

GISB has long been controversial due to its links to the Al Arqam sect, which has been banned in Malaysia since 1994 for its deviant teachings and cult activities.

In 2011, GISB created the Obedient Wives Club, which encouraged women to be “sluts in bed” to keep their husbands from straying.

A series of police raids last month at GISB-run nursing homes in Selangor and neighboring Negeri Sembilan state resulted in the rescue of more than 400 children.

Malaysian police chief Razarudin Hussein said at least 13 children were sexually abused after medical examinations.

Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also told parliament last week that children were being severely punished for even minor infractions.

The case shocked the country and raised concerns about the welfare of children in institutions and the regulation of charities in Malaysia.

Further police raids brought the total number of children rescued to 625, and 415 people were arrested, including GISB leaders.

Police are also investigating GISB for money laundering, deviant teachings and extremist indoctrination following reports that rescued children were shown videos with militant themes.

GISB operated a chain of supermarkets, restaurants and travel agencies serving Muslim customers in Malaysia and 20 other countries, but the raids damaged their business.