RAWANG - The Ikhwan Business Centre under Global Ikhwan Services & Business (GISB) Holdings Sdn Bhd in Bandar Country Homes is operating as usual despite recent raids - codename Op Global, by police at its other premises in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
A quick check by Sinar yesterday found that its restaurant as well as other business operations such as their health clinic, treatment centre, covenience store and GISB's headquarters were operating as usual.
The Sinar team stayed for about an hour and saw no children working at the business premises.
An employee from one of the premises stated that businesses in the area had been severely affected following allegations that GISB was involved in child trafficking and exploitation.
Having been with GISB for a long time now, he admitted he was shocked and saddened by the accusations.
"I don't know the motive behind these allegations, but they are false and have affected our business as they have influenced the local community's trust.
"No underage workers have been employed; if there are any, they are just students undergoing skills training, none are permanent employees as claimed," he told Sinar.
He also mentioned that the business operations in Rawang was not involved in a recent raid conducted by the police.
However, he said several police officers had come to the premise for investigation purposes.
He also took the opportunity to clear the GISB name, stating that none of its members were involved in any deviant teachings as alleged.
"We follow the teachings of Islam and do not break any laws as claimed.
"We have cooperated well with the police and will continue with our business operations as usual, as no closure orders have been issued," he said.
Last Saturday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police were monitoring GISB following suspicions that the organisation was involved in child exploitation activities following four recent reports received in Selangor.
Ayob said the company's modus operandi involved establishing charitable homes to collect donations.
He said the company was part of a splinter group of a previously banned deviant organisation and is on the list of 114 deviant groups monitored by the Special Branch.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain announced that 402 children were rescued following police raids on 20 charitable homes linked to GISB in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
He had said that police received reports on allegations involving child neglect, sexual abuse and molestation against children in care homes believed to be owned by GISBH in the two states.
Razarudin said that GISBH is now being investigated under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670).
Meanwhile in Ipoh, GISB premises in Taman Rapat Bistari was operating as usual based on checks by Sinar yesterday where its grocery stores, pharmacies, laundromats, cafes and bakeries were operating as usual.
The buying and selling of goods and services were also running smoothly, with the presence of customers from the local community.
Additionally, the exterior of the premises showed many vehicles filling the provided parking spaces.
Local resident who wanted to be known as Roslan, 49, said he has been a customer for nearly a decade and never witnessed any suspicious incidents.
"To me, everything seems normal. The workers are adults, not children," he said.
Another customer, 52-year old Zaleha said that the existence of the business network in the area has greatly helped the local residents in obtaining goods and services.
"It's close to the residential area, making it convenient for us to shop. In their grocery store and pharmacy, prices are cheaper compared to other places," she said.
In Kuala Terengganu, the restaurant network under GISB was also operating as usual despite the drop in patrons.
Checks by the Sinar team at one of the branches in this district yesterday found that the premises were somewhat quiet, with only a few customers dining.
A local resident named Nurul said although she has never eaten at the restaurant, she saw it was always full with customers. She added that most of the restaurant's employees were not from Terengganu but from Selangor.
"I have also come across a young female employee who often brings her child with her. I’m not sure where she leaves her child while she’s working," she said.
She added that, so far, she has not encountered any child or young employees at the restaurant.
"For now, I haven't seen any child workers, just male and female adult employees, with the men wearing caps and the women in long headscarves," she said.