PAS: Probe GISBH but don't be overzealous

While lauding police action against Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), PAS has urged the authorities not to be overzealous in their approach.

In a statement today, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan stressed that there were several positive aspects to GISBH such as its huge business network.

“We support the strict action taken against wrongdoers but let’s not be hasty in meting out punishment, especially when it comes to the group as a whole.

“This includes its innocent members and GISBH’s legitimate activities such as its huge business enterprise - which must be protected from injustice that may have been triggered by sentiments, prejudices, business rivalry or even vested political interests,” he said.

Takiyuddin (above) is not the first person to raise concerns over the authorities’ action on GISBH’s business network as former law minister Zaid Ibrahim also raised similar sentiments yesterday.

Addressing the issue on X, Zaid said while the group may have made mistakes in their interpretation of Islam, it was no justification for destroying their livelihoods.

“I hope the National Fatwa Council can differentiate the temporal errors Malays commit from those parts of their belief system about God and the afterlife. Where they have defied the laws, take immediate action against them.

“Faith can be restored relatively quickly with proper guidance, but businesses take years to build and, once destroyed, may not grow again.”

Dragnet continues

Yesterday, the police arrested 155 more GISBH followers in an early morning multi-agency raid across Peninsular Malaysia.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said 78 men and 77 women were arrested under Phase 4 of Ops Global, while another 186 victims were rescued, including women and children.

This came after the police rescued 402 children in raids on 20 GISBH welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on Sept 11, with 171 people arrested.

Nineteen individuals, including GISBH CEO Nasiruddin Mohd Ali and his wife, were remanded for seven days to assist in the investigations on Sept 19.

Separately, Free Malaysia Today reported Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid as saying yesterday that the state authorities are investigating a chicken abattoir linked to GISBH for allegedly not paying its workers their dues.

He also claimed that the abattoir, Ikhwan Poultry Sdn Bhd, located in Tasek Gelugor, has yet to apply for halal certification.

As for other businesses and welfare homes operated by the company in the state, Mohamad said the state government was keeping tabs on them to ensure there are no violations of the law.

Police nab 155 more GISBH followers, rescue 186 victims, IGP says

Minister lauds Perlis move to declare GISBH as a deviant group

IGP announces 200 arrests from raids on GISBH

Kids rescued from GISBH homes risk statelessness, group warns

Deputy minister: MCMC monitoring parody content involving GISBH