KUALA LUMPUR: The 20 welfare homes raided today are linked to the Global Ikhwan Group (GISB).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed this when contacted earlier.
The Muslim conglomerate, which has assets totaling around RM325 million globally, operates a vast network of 415 business outlets across 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australasia, as reported by The Malaysian Reserve.
Established in 2010 from the remnants of the Arqam Group, Global Ikhwan generates an annual revenue of RM187 million, comparable to many public-listed companies.
The group employs 5,346 staff across its 25 subsidiaries. Among its notable assets are a desert oasis in Saudi Arabia, restaurants in London, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, and Makkah, accommodations in Turkiye, a hotel in Sarajevo, and a 120-acre estate in Perth.
Earlier, Razarudin told reporters in Kuantan that police rescued 402 minors from alleged exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse, in a major operation across two states today, codenamed Op Global.
The victims, aged between one and 17, were allegedly exploited at 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
The victims allegedly suffered punishment with heated metal objects and inappropriate touching under the guise of religious medical treatment, Razarudin said.
On Saturday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police had opened investigations into a company over its alleged involvement in a child exploitation case,
Ayob Khan also confirmed that four police reports were lodged in Selangor against the company.
He said police were also in the process of compiling statistics on the number of reports lodged around the country against the company.
Ayob Khan added that investigations revealed the company's modus operandi was to set up welfare homes to collect donations.