MELAKA: The Melaka government has revoked the datukship of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) executive chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali with immediate effect.
State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad said the Yang Di-Pertua Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam made the decision following the advice of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to revoke the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM) award carrying the title “Datuk” conferred to Nasiruddin on Aug 25.
Azhar said Nasiruddin’s name will be removed from the list of recipients of honorary titles conferred by the state.
“The decision was made in accordance with the state’s constitution on honorary titles.
“Hence, Nasiruddin should surrender the award to the State Secretary’s office at Kompleks Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh here at once,” Azhar said in a statement yesterday.
On Oct 14, Melaka Mufti Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil said the state fatwa committee, in a meeting on Oct 3, had declared the teachings and practices of GISB as deviant.
He said the teachings and practices of GISB exhibit similarities to elements associated with Al-Arqam, declared deviant in 1994, and Syarikat Rufaqa’ Corporation Sdn Bhd, banned in 2007.
In ISKANDAR PUTERI, the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) is set to follow the muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia in declaring GISB as deviant.
Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the decision is subject to the approval of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
“Once their consent is granted, Johor will officially confirm GISB as deviant and misleading,” he said, adding that GISB had never fulfilled its zakat obligations to the state.
Mohd Fared also said that MAIJ is rehabilitating GISB members through voluntary and legal methods.
“A rehabilitation centre in Jalan Gertak Merah offers faith-based guidance, aiming to return members to the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal-Jamaah.
“For those willing to return voluntarily, we have already begun sessions. However, for those who resist, we will pursue legal action once investigations are completed,” he added.
MAIJ is reviewing materials linked to GISB to determine if they meet the criteria for heresy. Legal action will be taken if these materials are confirmed as deviant.
“This process takes time, but we are thorough. If voluntary compliance fails, we will not hesitate to enforce the law,” said Mohd Fared.
He added that MAIJ would assist GISB members who comply with government directives, underscoring its mission to restore their faith while protecting their welfare.
“Once their businesses were shut, they no longer had a source of income, so MAIJ will provide financial assistance to rehabilitated members and their families, and look into their welfare and education needs,” he said.
Mohd Fared also said MAIJ has launched an initiative to provide takaful (Islamic insurance) coverage to all 22,000 heads of asnaf (tithe recipients) households in the state.
He added that the initiative, in collaboration with Agrobank, ensures financial protection for vulnerable families in the event of accidents or fatalities involving breadwinners.
“MAIJ is also considering appointing village heads as amil (collectors) of information to streamline welfare assistance.
“Previously, there was one Amin Baitulmal (aid distributor) for each district, and each area should ideally have a zakat collector.
“However, the number of zakat collectors to date is only 46 individuals, while there are 667 village heads. MAIJ views this imbalance as an issue,” he said.
Mohd Fared said the proposal aims to improve aid delivery, ensuring residents can access assistance more effectively.
“The village head is well placed to oversee both administrative and welfare needs. This integration will reduce confusion and prevent unnecessary reliance on social media or mainstream media to seek help,” he said.
Mohd Fared said MAIJ will prepare a working paper to be discussed in the full MAIJ council meeting before presenting it to Sultan Ibrahim for a decision.
