SABAH GOVT CLOSELY MONITORING, REVIEWING GISBH OPERATIONS

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government, through the Sabah Islamic Affairs Coordination Committee (JaPHEIS), is closely monitoring and reviewing the operations of GISB Holdings (GISBH) Sdn Bhd to determine whether it is associated with any prohibited or deviant beliefs in the state.

State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said that JaPHEIS, chaired by him, includes members from the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), the Sabah Department of Islamic Affairs (JHEAINS), and other collaborating agencies.

He said the involved agencies, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Malaysian Immigration Department, hold regular discussions regarding Islamic affairs in Sabah, covering topics such as halal certification, faith, and other related issues.

"The Office of the Mufti of Sabah has previously declared certain teachings as incorrect, deviant, or prohibited in the state, including those of Rufaqa' Corporation Sdn Bhd.

“Although it was previously referred to as Rufaqa', we have yet to determine if this is the same organisation (GISBH) or otherwise," he said when contacted by Bernama to comment on GISBH in Sabah.

Mohd Arifin, who is also the minister responsible for Islamic affairs in Sabah, emphasised that the state government is continuously monitoring GISBH's activities, and any decisions made by JaPHEIS will be communicated accordingly.

On Sept 11, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department raided 20 charity homes associated with GISBH in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, rescuing 402 children and adolescents aged between one and 17. 

Health screenings of 392 of the rescued children revealed they had suffered physical and emotional abuse. The children are also suspected of being exploited for labour, having been forced to sell products.

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey at several business premises believed to be operated by GISBH, including a bakery in Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, and a restaurant in Putatan, found the outlets still open.

However, since the GISBH issue surfaced, these establishments, previously bustling due to their reasonable prices, have seen a decline in customers.

An employee, who preferred to be identified only as Ahmad, said the situation has impacted their sales and hoped for a swift resolution to the matter.

-- BERNAMA