KAJANG: All relevant authorities, including Islamic religious departments and councils, have been ordered by the Prime Minister to investigate and act against the alleged misconduct by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB).
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said action cannot be delayed as the issues involved abuse of power, religion and child exploitation.
“Let the police investigate and take appropriate action according to the law.
“Religious authorities, especially in the Federal Territory and Selangor as well as Jakim (Islamic Development Department of Malaysia), can also advise.
“Do not delay. Many had been asking why there are delays or procrastination in taking action. So, I have raised the matter to these authorities for immediate action and report,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Iman here, reported Bernama.
On Wednesday, police rescued 402 children from 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan that are linked to a company accused of exploiting children and religion.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said a special committee will be formed to study the alleged deviant teachings purportedly practised by GISB.
“The committee will conduct a thorough probe of GISB’s doctrines,” he said.
Mohd Na’im said Jakim had been ordered to cooperate with the police investigation.
Jakim, he said, would also bring the matter to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs.
Mohd Na’im added that the special committee would help by providing data and study to the relevant authorities, including to the council.
“In addition, the department will assist in providing homes to the rescued children and teenagers. They will also be provided counselling,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Separately, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) said it had formed a task force to investigate claims that deviant teachings were spread by Islamic religious schools and learning centres.
Selangor Islamic affairs and cultural innovation committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the task force would be chaired by Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad.
The state government, he said, would not hesitate to act, including withdrawing the licences of tahfiz or religious schools found to be involved with deviant teachings.
“Jais had been instructed to closely monitor tahfiz and religious schools, including those not registered by it, in Selangor.
“The Selangor government is committed to ensuring the safety of tahfiz and religious schools from being used to exploit children and spread deviant teachings,” he said yesterday.
He also urged those with information about religious schools or tahfiz involved with deviant teachings to report the matter to Jais.
