Authorities in Malaysia accuse company of slavery due to child abuse

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Malaysia’s Religious Affairs Authority on Thursday accused a conglomerate under investigation for child abuse and money laundering of deploying “elements of slavery” in the way it operates its businesses.

Nooh Gadot, an official at the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, said this was one of the reasons why the teachings and beliefs propagated by GISB have been declared deviant, as he urged Muslims to shun the group.

Police raided Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) care homes in September and rescued more than 600 children, some of whom were found to have been abused.

They also arrested 415 people, including GISB’s CEO, his wife and senior figures from the company.

“GISB uses economic models that contain an element of slavery, where the needs of the followers are fully borne by the company and in return they have to serve voluntarily and without pay,” Nooh said in a statement on Thursday.

Nooh said the group also promoted the belief that water used to wash the hair, beard or body parts of their leaders could bring blessings.

“Anyone who holds, believes in, teaches, spreads, practices or becomes a follower of these teachings and beliefs must repent,” Nooh said.

“This committee also suggests that government agencies at the federal and state levels assist in the rehabilitation process of (GISB followers) and allocate an appropriate amount of funds for this purpose.”

GISB could not immediately be reached for comment on the slavery accusation, and a lawyer for the group did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

GISB has long been controversial for its ties to the Al-Arqam sect, which has been banned in Malaysia since 1994 for its deviant teachings and cult-like activities.

In 2011, GISB founded an “Obedient Wives Club” that called on women to be “whores in bed” to avoid infidelity by their husbands.

Following September’s series of raids on GISB care homes in Selangor and neighboring Negeri Sembilan state, Malaysian police chief Razarudin Husain said at least 13 children were sexually abused following medical examinations.

Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also said in parliament in October that children are severely punished for minor violations.

The case has shocked the country and raised concerns about the welfare of children in healthcare facilities and the regulation of charities in Malaysia.

The company’s CEO, Nasiruddin Ali, was accused on October 23, along with his wife Azura Yusof and 20 senior leaders, of being members of an organized crime group.

Several other people have been charged with criminal harassment and child abuse.

Police also investigated GISB for money laundering, deviant teachings and extremist indoctrination following reports that the rescued children were exposed to videos with militant themes.

GISB operated a network of supermarkets, restaurants and travel agencies serving Muslim customers in Malaysia and more than a dozen other countries, but the raids have crippled their businesses.

llk/hmn/sco