SHAH ALAM: Two women, daughters of outlawed Al-Arqam movement founder Ashaari Muhammad, and a man pleaded with the authorities to show leniency when dealing with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) members.
The three, Syurahbil Amran, 36, Ummu Mubarokah Ashaari, 30, and Khaulah Ashaari, 38, also hope to be allowed to continue operating their businesses.
The trio made the plea and several other requests through their lawyers at a press conference yesterday.
Lead counsel Datuk Rosli Kamaruddin, speaking on behalf of the trio, said GISB is pleading with the authorities to allow them to continue their business for livelihood purposes.
“They are not involved in any illegal business activities,” he said, adding that GISB members also want their case handled transparently and fairly.
Rosli explained that GISB had instructed its solicitors to convey that the company, its top echelon leaders, and all those being investigated want to cooperate fully with the authorities.
“The onus to carry out an investigation lies with the authorities, and we are compliant with the investigations but urge for it to be fair and just,” he said.
GISB also pleaded with the government not to use Security Offences (Special Measures) Sosma 2012 to detain its members for investigation.
Rosli asked if Sosma had been used to investigate deviant teachings or practices.
“If it is about deviant teachings, and if there is a breach of akidah (religious guidelines), investigate and let the respective state religious authorities initiate action,” said Rosli.
Breaking her silence: Khaulah speaking to the media next to Rosli during a press conference in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star
He also asked if it is really necessary to shut down GISB business outlets and place some of those arrested under extremely tight security.
Rosli reiterated that GISB, its board of directors and company officials cooperated with the authorities and will continue to do so in subsequent investigations by the police and other enforcement agencies.
He added that GISB also appealed to all non-governmental organisations, associations, politicians, professionals and individuals not appointed by the organisation to stop any polemics, debates or anything that can create discomfort among certain parties, including the authorities.
“We are also reiterating that GISB and its community are not terrorists. Let’s allow police and the government to complete their investigations, and the appointed team will handle GISB’s legal rights,” said Rosli.
He added that GISB also appealed to the government and authorities to allow its members to be involved in the well-being of their children who are currently under the care of the Welfare Department.
Meanwhile, Khaulah, a GISB subsidiary company director, said the group’s members were no longer involved in deviant teachings once propagated by the Al-Arqam movement.
“We have pursued courses conducted by the religious authorities and are committed to no longer practising what was carried out in the past,” she said.
When questioned about a video making its way online currently, in which her father is being adulated, Khaulah said it was recorded in 2011 before the former Al-Arqam members were put through a 500-hour course by religious authorities.
On the question of some of the children rescued from GISB care homes whose parentage could not be ascertained, the group’s solicitor asked for some time to address the matter.
The lawyer said some of the parents are still under detention while some, who have been released on bail, are yet to seek out their children.
Other lawyers representing GISB were Najib Zakaria, Hasnan Zakaria, Derina Abdullah, Boestaman Ahmad, Muhd Zaim Rosli and Zainul Abidin.
So far, 415 people have been arrested to help with investigations into GISB and 553 children were removed and placed in Welfare Department-run homes.
Last week, 16 GISB members, including its chief executive officer Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, who were remanded, were rearrested under Sosma.
