Alleged child abuse puts Malaysia’s banned sect back in the spotlight By Reuters

By Rozanna Latiff, Danial Azhar and Hasnoor Hussain

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – On its website, Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) describes itself as a Malaysian conglomerate with a vision to implement the Islamic way of life in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

But the rescue this week of hundreds of children and young people from what Malaysian authorities said was suspected sexual abuse at charity homes run by GISB has put the company’s roots in a religious sect outlawed by the government back into the spotlight three years ago. decades.

The GISB acknowledges ties to the Al-Arqam religious sect, which was banned in 1994, and names the sect’s late Ashaari preacher Muhammad as its founder, but has largely sought to distance itself from the group’s practices and beliefs, which the government considers heretics.

GISB said it does not run the homes and has denied all allegations of abuse. In a video posted on Facebook (NASDAQ: ), however, its chief executive said the firm had broken unspecified laws and that there had been “one or two” cases of sodomy at youth homes.

In 2011, GISB made headlines for its controversial views on sex and marriage, which included encouraging polygamous families and founding the Obedient Wives Club, a group that called for wives to submit to their husbands “like prostitutes”.

Police raids on charity houses in two Malaysian states this week came after several Islamic leaders called on the government to investigate the GISB’s activities.

Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin, a lecturer in Islam at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, said he was aware of reports made to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) about labor exploitation and deviant teachings at GISB as far back as a decade ago.

“They would point out that they were exploited and that they were not paid for their work,” he told Reuters, citing reports by former GISB members.

Former members also held on to Al-Arqam’s teachings and beliefs, Abu Hafiz added.

Police say they are investigating other allegations, including money laundering. Authorities say they also plan to examine religious schools run by the GISB, while Jakim said he would submit a report to the cabinet on deviant teachings involving the firm.

Police say most of the youths rescued from homes in two Malaysian states were children of GISB members.

Many showed signs of abuse, neglect and emotional trauma, while 13 were sodomized, officials said Friday.

“HIDING UNDER THE WAVE OF LEGITIMACY”

Residents of Bukit Beruntung, a town where a police source and locals said authorities had raided several youth homes, expressed shock at the abuse allegations.

“If it’s true, then it’s really worrying,” said Mohd Khair Syafie, the imam of a surau, or Muslim prayer hall, in the town, about 50 km (31 miles) outside the capital.

Ashaari Muhammad founded the Al-Arqam movement in 1968, which initially focused on discussing religious issues.

In the 1980s, the group, which had tens of thousands of followers, was condemned by religious authorities in Malaysia for what they said were deviant teachings of Ashaari, whose followers claimed to have supernatural powers and could delay death.

Ashaari, who had five wives and 37 children, spent two years in prison in the 1990s and died in 2010.

In 2006, the Malaysian government outlawed Rufaqa Corp, another company founded by Ashaari, which it described as an attempt to revive Al-Arqam. A Rufaqa official at the time denied he had any agenda other than preaching Islam and building his business.

In an August interview with The Malaysian Reserve daily, GISB said the company was rebranded from Rufaqa Corp and reiterated that it is an Islamic-compliant business entity.

Munira Mustaffa, chief executive of security consultancy Chasseur Group, said GISB’s dealings appeared to help it “hide under the veil of legitimacy”.

“Living in a country where they know they are being watched, the GISB took care to present themselves as entrepreneurial people and legitimate businessmen,” Munira said.

“But at the same time, they follow the same template as other isolationist communities or cults.”