CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING GISBH ESCALATES WITH NEW REVELATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The ongoing controversy surrounding the exploitation of children and religion linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) continues to escalate, with more individuals coming forward on social media to reveal their experiences as former members or associates of the group.

On Friday, a social media user on X, using the alias ‘babblingnia’, disclosed that she was born and raised within the Al-Arqam group, which is connected to GISBH, and alleged the presence of deviant teachings fostering fanaticism among its followers.

Following this, today, the police issued a statement saying they were monitoring any statements made by individuals or parties connected to GISBH on social media.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said a special task force from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department had been assigned to monitor these actions on social media.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that 29 individuals aged between 19 and 62, linked to GISBH, have been remanded for between one and seven days beginning today to assist in investigations.

The investigations are being carried out under Section 31(a) of the Child Act 2001, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. All the individuals are currently detained at centralised lockups in Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, and Petaling Jaya.

Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datin Hakimah Mohd Yusoff said the evidence seized during the fourth phase of the operation codenamed Op Global conducted by the police and several other agencies, including JAKIM, could serve as supporting evidence to determine the status of the faith of GISBH followers.

She added that this evidence would form the basis for the Report Paper to be discussed and decided at the Muzakarah of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) from Sept 24 to 26.

In KELANTAN, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the Kelantan state government had left the matter regarding GISBH to the authorities, as the company had no connection with the state government.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Seremban Syariah Lower Court today granted a bond application by the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) against the chairman and principal of a madrasah in Kuala Pilah believed to be associated with GISBH.

Syariah Judge Nurul Akmar Mohamad Hilmi made the ruling after allowing the application from JHEAINS enforcement officers against the two suspects, aged 58 and 51, to complete the investigation under Section 22 of the Islamic Religious Schools (Negeri Sembilan) Control Enactment 1996 and Section 52 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Negeri Sembilan) 1992 (Amendment 2019).

The judge set the bond at RM2,000 with two guarantors residing in Negeri Sembilan for both suspects, with the next mention of the case scheduled for Nov 12.

In TERENGGANU, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the decision to suspend or revoke GISBH's business licence in Terengganu would depend on the resolution of the Muzakarah MKI.

He stated that the matter would be decided after the Muzakarah MKI meeting, which is expected to be held in the state soon.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement of the Terengganu Islamic Religious Department (JHEAT), Aizi Saidi Abdul Aziz, said that 13 horses at a horse training centre linked to GISBH in Kampung Mengabang Panjang, Kuala Nerus, were found marked with the GISBH logo during a raid by the police yesterday.

He mentioned that some of the logos were observed on the upper part of the horses’ front legs, as reported to him by the police.

In PERLIS, the Perlis Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIPs) seized 63 items believed to be part of deviant spiritual teachings during a joint operation at two premises believed to be linked to GISBH in the state yesterday.

JAIPs director Najmuddin Abdul Karim said the integrated operation related to Op Global involved the JAIPs enforcement division in collaboration with the police and other agencies.

In KEDAH, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state government was leaving it entirely to the authorities to handle enforcement actions and investigations related to individuals and premises linked to GISBH in the state.

He added that legal action should be taken against them if any offences were found.

In SELANGOR, the chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, said the Selangor Mufti Department would convene on Sept 30 to decide on the status of GISBH in the state after receiving a report from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) at the MAIS meeting on Sept 24.

-- BERNAMA