DNA SAMPLES
GISB has long been controversial for its links to the now-defunct Al-Arqam sect and has faced scrutiny by the religious authorities in the Muslim-majority country.
Al-Arqam was banned by the authorities in 1994 for deviant teachings, while members of the GISB had in 2011 set up an “Obedient Wives Club” that called on women to be “whores in bed” to stop their husbands from straying.
According to its website, GISB runs businesses from supermarkets to restaurants, and operates in several countries including Indonesia, France and the United Kingdom.
Police believe the minors in the care homes were all children of GISB members.
“We believe that all 402 children are fathered by GISB members. That’s our suspicion at the moment,” police inspector-general Razarudin Husain told AFP on Thursday.
“We feel that there’s a need for DNA samples to be taken.”
Islamic religious authorities in the Malaysian state of Selangor said this week they were closely monitoring GISB’s activities.
“(We) remain vigilant about any facts leading to deviations from true Islamic teachings,” they said.
The multi-ethnic country has a dual-track legal system with Muslims subject to sharia laws in certain areas.
The UN children’s agency had underlined the “unimaginable horror” faced by the victims.
“These children have experienced unimaginable horrors and will need long-term professional medical and psychosocial support,” said Robert Gass, the Malaysia representative for UNICEF.
The case has also rattled locals.
“This incident is very shocking and sudden,” said 37-year-old resident Uzair Abdul Aziz.
