JOHOR GOV'T DOES NOT UNFAIRLY TARGET BUSINESSES LINKED TO ISLAMIC ORGANISATIONS - EXCO

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government does not go after any Islamic organisation's business operations unless there is evidence of misconduct or activities contradicting the teachings of ‘Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah’, says Johor State Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid.

He said that action was taken against GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) after evidence of child and women neglect was uncovered.

According to Mohd Fared, investigations by the police and the Johor Mufti Department also revealed that GISBH was using its business operations to propagate deviant teachings.

"We found children, from infants to those aged 18, at the Social Welfare Department’s building, some of whom were being used for forced labour.

"Islam never condones the mistreatment of women, let alone cases of sexual harassment, which police investigations confirmed occurred," he said during the Third Session of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail here today.

He was responding to an additional question from Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup) on the efforts by the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) to address deviant teachings, child neglect, and forced labour in the state.

Mohd Fared added that a guideline for establishing a committee to combat deviant teachings was presented during the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) meeting on Aug 23.

The committee’s role is to identify issues of deviant teachings in the state and propose immediate measures by authorities, focusing on faith rehabilitation, Syariah law enforcement, and Federal-level legal action.

He further emphasised that all religious teachers wishing to impart knowledge in Johor must first obtain accreditation and comply with state laws.

-- BERNAMA