Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of children they suspect of being physically and sexually abused in care homes linked to an Islamic business group.
Warning: This story contains details that may disturb some readers.
Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain said 402 children, aged between one and 17, were rescued from 20 charity homes in the states of Selangor and Negri Sembilan on Wednesday, local time.
The morning raids involved almost 1,000 personnel from police and other agencies.
Razarudin Husain said police made 171 arrests, with the suspects including Islamic religious teachers and caretakers at the welfare homes.
He said the operation was prompted by reports alleging neglect, abuse, sexual harassment and molestation.
In a televised press conference, he did not say who made the reports, but said initial investigations had revealed the victims were allegedly sexually abused by their caretakers and forced to abuse other children.
"Victims who were ill were not allowed to seek treatment at clinics until their condition become critical," Razarudin said, adding that some children as young as five were also burnt with hot spoons.
The inspector-general said all the homes were run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB).
What does Global Ikhwan Services and Business do?
On its website, GISB said it's a Malaysian firm involved in businesses ranging from supermarkets to laundromats operating in countries including Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France and Thailand.
In a statement, GISB denied allegations that it exploited children and said that it would cooperate with authorities, but made no mention of allegations of sexual abuse against them.
"The company will not compromise with any activity that goes against the law, particularly regarding the exploitation of children as workers," the statement said.
Razarudin said preliminary police investigations had found that the rescued minors were children of Malaysian GISB employees, who were sent to the homes shortly after they were born, before allegedly being subjected to multiple forms of abuse.
GISB has been linked to the now-defunct Malaysia-based Al-Arqam religious sect, which was banned by the Malaysian government in 1994.
GISB has acknowledged the link but now describes itself as an Islamic conglomerate based on Muslim practices.
The firm previously made headlines for its controversial views on marriage, including encouraging polygamy among Muslims and establishing the Obedient Wives' Club, a group that had called on women to submit to their husbands "like prostitutes".
The rescued children will be sent for health screening and documentation, Razarudin said, adding that the case was being investigated under laws covering sexual offences against children and human trafficking.
Wires/ABC
