Child abuse cases shine light on secretive Malaysian group

Police probing cult-linked group as an organised crime ring; 155 suspects detained

- Azril Annuar

A bakery, three restaurants, a boutique, a clinic and a grocery mart were among the 20 businesses located around three blocks of shophouses in a quiet township in Rawang some 30 minutes by car north of Kuala Lumpur. They have names such as Poliklinik Ikhwan, Ikhwan Mart, Butik Ikhwan and Ikhwan Cafe. An outdoor station called Ikhwan Equestrian features horse rides.

Welcome to ground zero of a controversial, secretive group now known as Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, or GISB. Ikhwan is an Arabic word meaning brothers or brotherhood.

Promoting itself as an international business group, GISB on its website acknowledges the late Ashaari Muhammad as its founder. He is the preacher who founded the Al-Arqam cult, which was banned in 1994 for spreading “deviationist Islamic teachings”.

The group is once again facing intense scrutiny in Malaysia, this time related to shocking allegations of child abuse and sodomy, after the police earlier in September raided 20 children welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan states said to be related to GISB and rescued nearly 400 boys and girls.

On Sept 21, a total of 155 suspects linked to GISB, including 77 women, were detained in Ops Global raids in all Peninsular Malaysia states, said Malaysian police inspector-general Razarudin Husain. He said 82 premises were raided, including homes and business premises with links to the group.

“All those detained are being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act and Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act,” he said in a statement.

“A total of 186 victims consisting of 102 men and 84 women, including a boy who was being punished by a man believed to be a GISB member, were also rescued in the operation,” he said.