In a startling revelation, Ummu Atiyah, the eldest daughter of the late al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad, has come forward with allegations of being forcibly confined at a settlement owned by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) in Kampung Batu Hampar, Perak. Her claim, which has attracted widespread attention, sheds light on what she describes as a harrowing month of captivity.
On October 20, 2024, at around 2:30 PM, Atiyah led law enforcement officers to the location where she alleges she was held against her will. The visit marked a significant step in the investigation that began after Atiyah lodged a police report detailing the abuse she endured. She stated that during her time at the settlement, she was confined to a room by four male members of GISBH, who tightly controlled her movements and prevented her from accessing her mobile phone.
Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, confirmed the investigation into her allegations, noting that the settlement was inhabited by a mixture of teenagers and adults. According to Atiyah, the individuals responsible for her confinement were GISBH members who restricted her freedom for approximately a month.
The police, alongside Atiyah, spent about 30 minutes at the site of the alleged confinement, carefully examining the premises before departing. The authorities have since launched a probe into potential wrongful confinement, based on her testimony. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to verify her claims and gather additional evidence.
Atiyah’s allegations extend beyond the physical confinement. In a press conference held earlier, the 41-year-old detailed further disturbing experiences involving GISBH leaders. She accused them of utilizing forced marriages as a means of control, claiming that she was coerced into marrying a leader of GISBH in Turkiye without her consent. Following the marriage, she was brought back to Malaysia, where she was allegedly detained at the Batu Hampar settlement.
These revelations have cast a dark shadow over GISBH, an organization with historical ties to al-Arqam, a religious movement that was officially banned in Malaysia in the 1990s. Atiyah’s accusations suggest that the group's leadership continues to exercise control over its members in ways that raise serious human rights concerns. Her courageous decision to come forward has prompted public scrutiny of the organization’s activities and its treatment of followers.
The case has also sparked reactions from various human rights and women’s advocacy groups, who are urging a thorough investigation into the practices of GISBH. These groups have expressed concern about the potential scale of abuse within the organization and the possible involvement of other members in similar situations.
As the investigation progresses, attention continues to grow on the issue of wrongful confinement and the broader implications for those still associated with GISBH. For those in similar situations or experiencing abuse, help is available through confidential hotlines such as Talian Kasih (15999) or the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), ensuring that those affected can seek support and protection.
This case, still under investigation, is expected to reveal more about the internal workings of GISBH as authorities dig deeper into Atiyah’s claims and the organization's alleged mistreatment of its members.
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