Sabrina Bolivar's early life was anything but conventional. As the daughter of a former top official in the Al-Arqam movement, now known as GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), she grew up in an environment defined by control and isolation. The teachings, rooted in the beliefs of the group’s late leader, Ashaari Muhammad, shaped her formative years in ways that were often confusing and deeply unsettling.
Despite the hardships, Sabrina managed to navigate her way to freedom, even without the full support of her parents. As the eldest of four siblings, her childhood was dominated by the cult's alleged teachings, leaving her longing for a normal life. The complexity of her upbringing made it hard for her to understand the world around her.
However, her story took a hopeful turn when her grandmother stepped in to rescue her. This pivotal moment gave Sabrina the opportunity to break free from the cult’s confines and begin building a new life. Though the memories of her past are marked by difficulty, especially living with 24 stepsiblings and being cared for by strangers, Sabrina has embraced her role as a guide for her younger siblings.
Reflecting on her childhood during a recent Fireside Chat with Sinar Daily, Sabrina described the emotional pain she endured. It felt like living in hell, she said. We were constantly separated from our mother and other family members. I remember crying for my mom and grandmother because we were kept apart. She also recalled the discomfort of being placed in the care of male strangers, referred to as 'ustaz,' and the feeling of living in temporary housing with unrelated families. It wasn’t like a charity home, she explained, I had to act like a parent to my siblings and stepsiblings, and the responsibility was overwhelming.
Sabrina’s journey has been fraught with challenges. Her mother struggled with postnatal depression, and her father, once a prominent figure in the cult, passed away. As the eldest sibling, Sabrina was tasked with guiding her siblings through their own struggles, some of whom were still connected to the group. Most of them have escaped, but some still work within the group to survive, and others are struggling because they haven’t finished school yet, she shared.
A particularly heartwarming aspect of Sabrina’s story is how she reconnected with her siblings later in life. Despite growing up apart, they have formed a close bond, supporting each other through the difficulties of their shared past. She revealed that they were all born in an Al-Arqam clinic, a testament to how deeply her family was embedded in the cult. Her mother, unknowingly married to a man tied to the group, eventually chose to leave, understanding that the cult's belief system was deeply flawed. She accepted the divorce because she knew the whole system was wrong, Sabrina recounted.
At the core of Sabrina’s strength is her grandmother, Christine Rohani Longuet, a French-Venezuelan woman who has been her pillar of support. Alhamdulillah, I have a strong grandmother. She gave me full support, and we are very close, she said, emphasizing how her grandmother’s love helped her heal from her traumatic past.
Sabrina is also passionate about supporting other survivors of trauma, especially those who, like her siblings, may not have had access to proper education. She stressed the importance of helping them start anew. One of her brothers recently escaped the group, and Sabrina celebrated this victory, saying, Alhamdulillah, they are survivors. Many of them are starting their own businesses, and we must support them in becoming independent.
On September 11, the police rescued 402 children from 20 care homes linked to GISBH, responding to allegations of abuse, exploitation, and sexual assault. The operation led to the arrest of 171 suspects, and further investigations are ongoing.
Sabrina’s journey, while filled with trials, is a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the strength found in family. With the support of her grandmother and siblings, she has begun to heal and is determined to help others do the same.
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