Don't get ahead of court in GISBH case, Tuan Ibrahim tells authorities

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged the public and law enforcement agencies not to get ahead of the justice system in the case of Global Ikhwan Services And Business Holdings (GISBH).

In a statement posted on his Facebook this morning, he stressed that only the court can determine if the group and its members are guilty of crimes as alleged.

The Kubang Kerian MP chided those who made unnecessary comments that punished GISBH and called for authorities to stick to investigating and gathering evidence.

“We should let the police, investigating agencies and religious authorities investigate completely, and let the court decide on the case.

"The culture of getting ahead of the justice system should be stopped. Everyone other than judges, including investigators, does not have the authority to determine if someone is guilty or otherwise.

"The culture of punishing a suspect before a court decides is against the principle of separation of powers in our country.

"In my opinion, it is even worse if it is the authorities who suggest that their suspects are already guilty, which seems like they are trying to put pressure on the court to agree with their findings. Whereas their duties are only to investigate and present evidence to the court," Tuan Ibrahim (above) said.

Tuan Ibrahim added that such principle is not limited to the GISBH case but also every other investigation, saying that the court is the ultimate platform for the people to get justice.

"The culture of 'investigators' going overboard by making a verdict must be stopped so justice can be served, and at the same time strengthen the policy of separation of powers.

"Let the court determine (whether someone is guilty or otherwise) and decide the appropriate action based on the law," he said.

Always professional, says IGP

Tuan Ibrahim's rebuke came hot on the heels of authorities' investigations against GISBH and its members, who had allegedly been involved in various offences including abuse, sexual assault of children, human trafficking and financial crimes, among others.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | From al-Arqam to GISBH

Besides the police, the group is also under the scrutiny of the Inland Revenue Board and religious authorities; which are probing them for allegedly practising Aurad Muhammadiah - a doctrine that has been declared as deviant and banned.

So far, authorities reportedly have arrested more than 300 individuals allegedly linked to GISBH and rescued 572 victims.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain refuted the notion that authorities were getting ahead of the court in their probe against GISBH.

He said the police have always acted professionally in carrying out their duties and never overstepped the boundaries set by the law.

"We investigate, and when the media asks for an update, we inform whatever progress of our investigation such as which act or section we invoke and such.

"When did we ever say that a suspect is already found guilty? That is up to the court.

"I have also stressed many times that we only investigate, and we submit all our findings to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further decision," he said.

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