Facing the law: Muhammad Fawzun being led into the Sessions Court in Seremban to be charged.
KUALA LUMPUR: Seven more men believed to be members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), including the son of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Mohammad, have been detained in Pahang and Kelantan.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 35, were detained on Thursday in a special operation codenamed Ops Global.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the suspects were brought to the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the remand application.
“They have been remanded for seven days until Thursday to assist investigations under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“Investigators have begun interrogating the suspects, who are being detained at the Shah Alam central lock-up.”
He urged former GISB members or those with information to come forward to help investigations.“Members of the public with relevant information should come forward as soon as possible.
“Former GISB members who have experienced any form of wrongdoing at the care centres linked to the company should come forward.
“We will also discuss the matter further with Jakim,” he added.
On Wednesday, police had recorded the statements of 740 individuals. A total of 10 investigation papers have been opened and police have frozen 96 bank accounts involving GISB amounting to RM581,552.
In Seremban, a fourth teacher assistant from a madrasah in Kuala Pilah has claimed trial in the Sessions Court to six charges of sexually assaulting four boys aged between 10 and 13.
Muhammad Fawzun Azim Ismail, 20, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before judge Surita Budin yesterday. He was charged with committing the offences at the madrasah in 2023.
He was slapped with four charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and two charges under Section 14(b) of the same Act. Both provisions carry a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi urged the court to deny bail to the accused.
In the event that bail is granted, the prosecution proposed RM30,000 for each charge, with the accused forbidden from contacting the victims or witnesses and required to report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender his passport to the court and be easily reachable.
Muhammad Fawzun, who was unrepresented, asked the court for a lower amount, saying he is pursuing a course at a government skills centre, although he was unable to furnish proof.
Surita then told the accused’s father, who was present, to write to the court and provide proof that his son is a student to enable the court to consider a lower bail.
She then fixed bail at RM12,000 for each charge in one surety, and approved the other conditions requested by the prosecution.
The court also fixed Oct 30 for next mention and to allow the accused to hire a lawyer.
On Thursday, three other teacher assistants at the same centre claimed trial to 14 charges of sexually assaulting five children aged between nine and 11.
