KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — The investigation into GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) has now entered its one-month mark since the authorities raided 20 charity homes linked to the company in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on September 11.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said police will work with religious authorities and relevant agencies to ensure that the teachings and beliefs brought by GISBH cannot be revived.
He said among the agencies involved are the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Health Ministry (MOH) and the Social Welfare Department (JKM), which will provide recommendations to the government for further action.
"The investigation involving GISBH is all-encompassing… It involves more than beliefs and ideologies as these people practise their own socio-cultural and economic systems.
"Therefore, cooperation with all the agencies involved is necessary and we will hand it over to the government with recommendations regarding the need for a holistic recovery approach," he said at the Op Global press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre here yesterday.
Shuhaily said police have begun investigating the company’s assets overseas, worth over RM52 million, after identifying 23 properties in 10 countries.
"Police are still waiting for a response from nine other countries, with GISBH also believed to be conducting operations in the Southeast Asia region, Europe and the Middle East. We are also seeking assistance from the International Police (Interpol), the countries' authorities and related agencies.
"We received information that three premises in one country have stopped operating with signs taken down and windows and doors covered with black plastic. We have not received information about their members in the country, so that will the next phase of our investigation," he said.
Meanwhile, 16 individuals linked to GISBH were re-arrested yesterday under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to assist in the probe. So far, 58 individuals have been detained under Sosma since the launch of Op Global.
Shuhaily said during the operation, police arrested 415 people and rescued 625 victims aged two months to 28 years.
He said the 97 investigation papers that were opened involved various offences, with nine individuals arraigned in court with 34 charges, 20 of which are under Section 14(a) and Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, Section 354 of the Penal Code (outrage of modesty), and Section 506 of the Penal Code (criminal intimidation).
Meanwhile, Ahmad Fauwaz Ali@Fadzil, an Islamic scholar who is also a member of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, was appointed chairman of a special committee to prepare a faith rehabilitation syllabus for the victims and followers of GISBH.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the committee also comprises five other Islamic scholars and experts, adding that the rehabilitation syllabus will focus on appropriate methods to restore the victims and GISBH followers' faith, especially children.
In MELAKA, the Syariah High Court allowed the prosecution's request to postpone the arraignment of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad's three sons to December 19 so that they could be charged together with seven others.
In PENANG, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the children rescued from premises linked to the group are progressing well in their learning after the Education Ministry assumed responsibility for their education on October 1.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir ordered that the welfare of children associated with GISBH in the state be safeguarded, including ensuring they receive proper mainstream education.
— Bernama
