Selangor ruler wants firm action against GISBH

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah issued a stern warning regarding the probe of Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISBH), expressing deep concern over the lack of effective action from relevant authorities.

In a recent address, the ruler highlighted significant weaknesses in monitoring and enforcement by religious agencies over GISBH’s welfare homes and Islamic schools.

He added that the slow progress of the probe has allowed the issue to escalate to a serious and unmanageable level.

“I wish to remind all parties, especially the religious authorities, to take all issues related to the actions of the GISBH group seriously, particularly when it involves children and the suspected deviant teachings practised.

“Immediate and firm action, without compromise, must be taken under the law against any parties committing crimes against children and practices that contradict the faith, to preserve the sanctity of Islam,” Sultan Sharafuddin said in a statement today.

The ruler also urged all parties to take the situation seriously and called for transparent investigations by religious enforcement agencies and the police.

“I do not want us to be likened to a ‘hollow tin’, merely good at talking but without results,” he warned, stressing the importance of turning promises into action.

Full report on investigations

Heeding the royal’s decree, Selangor Islamic Affairs and Cultural Innovation executive councillor Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said a report on the investigation is to be presented to the state executive council next week.

The report will outline actions taken and future measures, particularly on GISBH’s religious schools and tahfiz centres in Selangor.

Fahmi also highlighted that he was briefed on the profiles of 30 homes under GISBH, including allegations that members of the group were appointed to a Rawang mosque’s committee, as well as issues surrounding the Al-Ikhwan surau.

He stressed it was important for Muslims to cooperate with authorities instead of engaging in blame games.

He also urged the public to stay vigilant and not be swayed by appearances or persuasive speeches.

“What we are seeing today, based on reports, involves deceit, oppression, exploitation, and conduct that is deeply repugnant and shameful,” Fahmi added.

Elaborating further, he said a special task force led by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) is currently strengthening its case against the top leadership of GISBH and other individuals linked to the group under several sections of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995.

They include sections 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 106, which involve false doctrine, insulting Islam, and insulting religious authorities, among others.

Previously, Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin claimed the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was briefed on GISBH activities, but no action was taken.

Refuting Asri’s allegations, Jakim director-general Hakimah Mohd Yusoff said the Islamic body has been working on the case since February 2019.

She said there were 12 meetings held on the matter, alongside workshops, special task forces, and programmes with the National Security Council, Home Ministry, and the police.

Welfare homes raid

On Sept 11, the police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan believed to be run by GISBH, rescuing 402 children after a report was lodged regarding alleged child abandonment, sexual assault, and harassment.

GISBH denied operating the homes and initially refuted claims of child abuse.

However, its CEO Nasiruddin Mohd Ali later admitted to “one or two” cases of sodomy but argued that such incidents should not tarnish the entire organisation.

On Thursday (Sept 19), Nasiruddin, his wife, and 17 others were remanded for seven days.

Earlier, on Sept 18, another GISBH member was charged with making criminal threats against a woman at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court.

GISBH was formed by the late Ashaari Mohammad after the government banned his al-Arqam movement, branding it a deviant sect.

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