KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar reiterated that members of the multinational corporation Global Ikhwan Services & Business Holdings (GISBH) practice deviant teachings that threaten national security.
Speaking to the Dewan Rakyat earlier today, Na’im said that according to the findings by the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) faith experts panel special committee, there was an element of “penyelewangan akidah” (corruption of faith) among GISBH members.
“Based on interviews with witnesses, Jakim was able to understand their experiences while they were members of Al-Arqam, Rufaqa, and GISBH.
“We found that there was a corruption of faith, religious rules, and morals,” Na’im said.
Following a meeting between state religious councils throughout the country on October 1, Na’im mentioned that several decisions were made concerning recommendations for the rehabilitation action plan for GISBH members.
According to Na’im, this action plan would involve, among other things, a 90-day faith rehabilitation programme involving cooperation between Jakim, the Welfare Department, and Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia.
Authorities will conduct “marriage inspections” and offer zakat assistance for members volunteering for the rehabilitation programme.
Among the deviant practices discovered among GISBH followers, Na’im pointed to the belief that their Imam Mahdi, Syeikh Suhaimi, will return alongside former Al-Arqam leader Abuya Ashaari Muhammad, who died in 2010.
In addition to believing they would be blessed in the afterlife thanks to their faith in Ashaari, Na’im said that GISBH’s followers were indoctrinated to believe that they must obtain blessings from the conglomerate’s board of directors.
Further, GISBH followers were not required to perform Friday prayers and instead did daily “solat Jamak” (combined prayers).
Na’im also suggested that marital affairs were not private matters and were heavily policed by the group, pointing out that members who leave GISBH were not allowed to visit their spouses and children.
“A husband who leaves the group would be excommunicated, and their spouse and children become the right of GISBH,” Na’im added.
On October 10, the police had arrested 415 individuals from the group in total.
Among those detained was GISBH CEO Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, who was previously remanded under the Criminal Procedure Act.
The police have opened 97 investigation papers to probe various crimes, including participation in an organised crime group under Section 130V of the Penal Code.
Authorities have obtained information regarding 23 properties worth RM52.4 million belonging to GISBH in 10 countries.
Earlier on September 11, police rescued 402 children during raids on 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, which the authorities had linked to GISBH.
To date, a total of 625 victims have been rescued in the operation, which is entering its fourth phase.
The organisation previously denied operating the care centres raided by authorities while distancing itself from child exploitation allegations. – October 15, 2024