Ongoing probe: The three children of the Al-Arqam founder, who were arrested during raids in Melaka, arriving at the Melaka Syariah High Court. — Bernama
Brothers to appear in court on Oct 10 for case mention
MELAKA: Three children of the founder of the banned Al-Arqam cult have been ordered to pay a bail bond by the Melaka Syariah High Court following the religious authorities’ probe into their activities.
Syariah judge Mohd Yunus Mohamad Zin yesterday set the bond at RM1,000 in one surety for each of the three brothers, aged 35, 42, and 45.
The bail bond had been applied by the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) against the three who are linked to the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB).
JAIM had applied for the bond so the three would assist in investigations under Section 63 of the Syariah Offences Enactment (State of Melaka) 1991 for allegedly insulting Islam.
Section 63 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment up to 36 months, or both, upon conviction.
The court also set the next mention date on Oct 10.
Earlier, the three individuals arrived at the Syariah Court Complex at Ayer Keroh here in grey robes accompanied by JAIM officers.
On Saturday, authorities stormed several premises owned by the GISB network.
The raids, which began at 7am in three districts, resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals and the rescue of 19 children at a residence suspected to belong to a group member in Kuala Sungai Baru, Alor Gajah, here.
Also arrested were two men and three women following police raids on a charitable organisation, a restaurant, a curtain shop, a mini market, a bakery and a factory processing instant noodles in Serkam, Jasin.
Meanwhile in Seremban, Bernama reported that two officials of a Kuala Pilah religious school suspected of being connected to GISB have been ordered to pay a bail bond by the Syariah Lower Court yesterday.
The bail bond had been applied by the Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS) on the chairman and the principal of a religious school or madrasah.
The two individuals are being investigated under Section 22 of the Control of Islamic Religious Schools Enactment (Negri Sembilan) 1996 and Section 52 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Negri Sembilan) 1992 (Amendment 2019).
Nurul Akmar ordered each suspect, who are residents of Negri Sembilan, aged 58 and 51, to pay RM2,000 bail in two sureties. The court also set Nov 12 for mention.
In a statement, JHEAINS director Mohd Asri Abdullah, said the suspects were detained on Sept 21 as part of a probe into a religious school believed to be operating without a permit in Kuala Pilah.
They were arrested after providing their statements at the Kuala Pilah District Police Headquarters.
He said during the interrogation, both individuals were suspected of attempting to revive teachings of Aurad Muhammadiyah, which have been declared as deviant by the state Mufti department.
It was reported that on Sept 12, JHEAINS sealed two houses that were being used as an unregistered madrasah housing 40 boys aged between 10 and 12 in Kuala Pilah.
Four teaching assistants at the madrasah have been charged at the Sessions Court here on allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
