Documents useful to find out whether followers are deviant, says Jakim DG
KUALA LUMPUR: Pamphlets and books seized during raids on Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding Sdn Bhd (GISB) premises will be used as evidence to determine whether the conglomerate’s followers adhere to the Islamic faith.
Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) director-general Datin Hakimah Mohd Yusoff said the materials would form the basis of a report that would be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs from Sept 24-26.
“The (meeting’s) decision regarding the GISB group’s doctrine will serve as a guide for state religious authorities in issuing fatwas so that the group’s members can be prosecuted in the Syariah Court,” she said in a statement on Jakim’s Facebook page, Bernama reported.
“Jakim appreciates the cooperation of all agencies involved, particularly the police, in helping compile evidence for the investigation into GISB.”
The police found books and pamphlets suspected of containing deviant teachings in raids at GISB-related premises throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Among the items seized in Kelantan, Melaka and Penang were six books suspected to be linked to Al Arqam, a movement declared deviant by the National Fatwa Council in 1994.
On Sept 20, the Perlis Fatwa Council declared that the beliefs held by GISB members were deviant and linked to Al Arqam.
In her statement yesterday, Hakimah said Jakim remains committed to ensuring that the Islamic faith and adherence to the syariah laws in Malaysia align with the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
In KANGAR, the Perlis Islamic Affairs Department (JAIPs) has seized 63 items related to deviant teachings in an integrated operation at two premises suspected to be linked to GISB.
JAIPs director Najmuddin Abdul Karim said the Ops Global raid was conducted by the department’s enforcement division in collaboration with the police on Saturday.
“The operation was conducted for enforcement purposes, in line with the fatwa on deviant teachings with spiritual elements, which was gazetted on Aug 28.
“During the raids on the two GISB-linked premises in Perlis, we discovered 63 items related to the teachings,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He urged anyone with information regarding these beliefs to come forward and assist the authorities.
“The department will take further action in accordance with existing laws and regulations,” he added.
The Perlis Fatwa Committee in its special meeting on Friday concluded that the teachings of GISB contain deviant elements, particularly in its spiritual beliefs.
A check at a childcare centre in Arau, suspected to be linked to GISB, found that it has been sealed effective Saturday, with a notice posted by the Perlis Social Welfare Department.
