3 Things To Know About GISB: The Multi-Million Ringgit Company Accused Of Abusing 402 Kids
The victims endured various forms of exploitation and abuse, including sodomy and being burnt.
By Sadho Ram — 12 Sep 2024, 04:09 PM
On Wednesday, 11 September, police rescued 402 minors from alleged exploitation at 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB)
The victims, 201 boys and 201 girls aged between 1 and 17, are all locals.
According to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, they all endured various forms of exploitation and abuse, including being sodomised and burnt, reported the New Straits Times.
"The simultaneous raids at the charity homes at both states led to the arrest of 171 individuals, including caretakers, ustaz (religious teachers), and the chairmen of the premises," he said.
Of those arrested, 66 are men and 105 are female suspects aged between 17 and 64.
1. Who is GISB?
On its website, GISB said it's an Islamic Bumiputera company, founded by Ustaz Ashaari Muhammad to develop the Islamic way of life in all aspects such as education, arts and culture, and animal farming.
The Muslim conglomerate is a multi-million ringgit company, with assets totalling around RM325 million globally. It's involved in a vast network of 415 businesses, including grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, poultry and meat suppliers, property developers, and travel agencies, with outlets across 20 countries.
Among its notable assets are a desert oasis in Saudi Arabia, restaurants in London, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, and Makkah, accommodations in Turkiye, a hotel in Sarajevo, and a 120-acre estate in Perth.
It was established in 2010 from the remnants of the Al-Arqam group, the now-defunct Malaysia-based religious sect, which was banned by the Malaysian government in 1994.
2. Why is it in the news?
GISB has been in the news due to investigations into widespread allegations of child exploitation under the guise of religious goodwill by setting up welfare homes to collect donations.
Prior to the raid at its care homes, Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said GISB is being investigated under Section 32(a) of the Child Act 2001 for exploiting children for fundraising activities.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) recently revealed that they have been aware of and monitoring GISB due to its links to Al-Arqam's heretical teachings.
While GISB has acknowledged its ties with Al-Arqam, the company's chief executive, Lokman Hakim Pfordten, said GISB had discarded its former image as the business wing of Al-Arqam.
For context, GISB's founder, Ustaz Ashaari, was the leader of Al-Arqam. He died in 2010.
A general view of Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) headquarters at Rawang.
Image via Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters3. What exactly is GISB being accused of?
According to Razarudin, initial police investigations revealed that the rescued minors were the children of Malaysian GISB workers and had been placed in the welfare homes soon after their birth.
The authorities said that the victims were sodomised by the caretakers, who then forced the victims to do the same to others at the 18 homes in Selangor and two in Negeri Sembilan.
"Victims who were ill were not allowed to seek treatment at clinics until their condition became critical," Razarudin said, adding that the victims suffered punishment with heated metal objects.
"There were a few children, aged five years old, who were burnt with a hot spoon when they made a mistake. The caretakers also touched the children's bodies as if to conduct 'medical checks'. Child victims and religious sentiments were used to gather sympathy and funds from the outside," he said.
The IGP did not rule out the possibility of deaths linked to GISB's activities.
Between 2011 and 7 September this year, the police received 41 police reports against GISB.
IGP Razarudin speaking during a press conference following the raid at the care homes.
Image via Asrol Awang/New Straits TimesIn a statement, GISB denied allegations that it exploited children but did not address the sexual abuse claims against them
GISB claimed that the allegations were "defamatory" and had malicious intent to create a negative perception about the company, which does not compromise with any activity that goes against the law, "particularly regarding the exploitation of children as workers", according to its statement.
"Our stance is very clear: to always obey the law and support the government's aspirations in developing the country. We are ready to cooperate with the authorities to resolve this issue," it said.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
