JOHOR BARU: Raids carried out by the police and Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) on Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) owned premises in several locations around the state recently found further evidence of its ties with Al-Arqam.
State Islamic Religious Affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said that besides books linked to the deviant group, authorities also found the picture of former Al-Arqam leader at one of the premises.
“The police together with JAINJ recently carried out raids involving GISB premises, which include an orphanage and education institutions in five districts in Johor.
“In the raids, we found some books related to Al-Arqam as well as a picture of their former leader near a toilet in one of the premises. We fear that GISB members still highly regard and worship their former leader following this finding,” he added.
Mohd Fared said this when met after receiving business tithe on behalf of Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) from various companies at a hotel here on Wednesday (Sept 25).
He added that several arrests have been made by the authorities and they also rescued children from GISB premises during the recent raids.
Mohd Fared said that the children were now under the care of Johor Welfare Department while authorities including JAINJ are investigating GISB.
“We still need time in carrying out a proper investigation against them as we want to really make sure whether their members are heavily influenced by teaching from Al-Arqam.
“If evidence shows that they are following such teaching, then they will likely be charged under the state syariah criminal enactment law,” he added.
Mohd Fared also said that JAINJ was working closely with the police and Islamic Development Malaysia Department (Jakim) over its investigation against GISB in the state.
