The shadowy business conglomerate, Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), is now at the center of a storm as it faces a sweeping investigation by multiple agencies for an array of criminal activities including promoting Islamic deviancy, human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. For years, GISBH has operated under a cloud of suspicion, with whispers of its connection to the outlawed Al-Arqam movement never truly fading. Its controversial beliefs and practices have kept it firmly in the crosshairs of critics.
Leading the charge against GISBH was the state of Perlis, which became the first to issue a fatwa branding the group as deviant. Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin revealed that the ruling was based on undeniable evidence. He pointed out that the esoteric, or batiniah, elements in GISBH’s teachings are a direct continuation of the banned Al-Arqam ideology. The committee determined that GISBH cultivates an unsettling, cult-like devotion to its leaders, elevating them to a status akin to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and attributing them with near-divine knowledge.
How many people truly follow the deviant teachings of GISBH? Authorities estimate the group’s membership at around 10,000. However, as with any large organization, it’s likely that some members have questioned the leadership or its controversial beliefs. Some may have even caused internal problems, such as committing sexual harassment or distributing drugs among the congregation. So, what happens to these ‘problematic’ members? According to PUKAS (Pusat Kajian Ajaran Sesat), a center focused on deviant teachings, those who resist or create trouble are met with harsh consequences. These members are often subjected to isolation, mental abuse, and strict disciplinary measures designed to suppress opposition.
PUKAS revealed that since the days of Al-Arqam and Rufaqa, Abuya Ashaari implemented a punishment method for ‘problematic’ members by isolating them in remote locations, a process known as ‘quarantine’. During this ‘quarantine’, members were cut off from all social interaction, prohibited from speaking to anyone, and confined to small rooms for so-called “self-reflection.”
This practice has carried over into the GISBH. GISBH quarantine centers are typically located in remote areas owned by the organization. Some known locations include:
- Kg Air Batang (ABC), Pulau Tioman
- Air Bintan, Kota Tinggi
- Labu Lanjut, Sepang
- Ikhwan Height, Baling, Kedah
- Batu Hampar, Perak
- Ikhwan Valley, Kajang/Putrajaya
- Kuala Kertil, Kedah
- Keningau, Sabah
- IAS, Santubong, Kuching, Sarawak
- Topang 2, Kg Tebing Tinggi, Segamat, Johor
- Topang, Riau, Indonesia
- Turkey
Quarantined members are forcibly separated from the congregation. Husbands are isolated from wives and children from parents, sometimes for several months or even years. During this time, they are required to recite the Aurad Muhammadiah (specific deviant recitations that originate from the days of Al-Arqam) after every prayer. Meals are limited to simple fare like cekodok (fried dough), porridge, and rice with salt, with the occasional side dish if they’re fortunate.
The quarantine process is designed to break down members mentally and emotionally. They are subjected to psychological abuse, forced to confess past sins and shames under the guise of self-reflection. These confessions are recorded by supervisors and reported to GISBH leaders, creating a “bank of sins” that the leaders use to control and manipulate members. Afraid of exposure, members become increasingly submissive. This tactic was highlighted in a podcast with Mokhtar and Caprice, where Mokhtar Tajudin (the current GISB deputy director of administration) revealed the private shames of former members. The fear of public humiliation keeps others silent.
While in quarantine, members are also required to stare at pictures of leaders, attend lectures and listen to indoctrination songs. One of the indoctrination songs includes a song titled ‘Minta Ampun Dengan Abuya (Ask for forgiveness from Abuya)’. This song will be played, repeated continuously in a small, confined room. It goes on until the quarantined member starts hallucinating or dreaming of meeting Abuya or the CEO. Eventually, their prayers are directed to Abuya instead of Allah. All of this indoctrination is considered a sirr (secret) and must not be shared with anyone outside the congregation.
Another indoctrination song is ‘Abuya dipuja seperti Rasul (Abuya is revered like the Prophet)’. Among the deviant content in this song include:
- People surrender themselves to Abuya because he holds the key to salvation in this world and the hereafter.
- Abuya is referred to as Sahibul Zaman, meaning the Wali Qutb.
- Abuya is considered a messenger of God.
- Abuya is regarded as the master of the era.
- Abuya is believed to be the pemuda Bani Tamim.
- Abuya is seen as the shadow of the Prophet.
- Abuya is viewed as the leader chosen by God.
Members who become increasingly obsessed or infatuated with their leader tend to be released from quarantine more quickly. One witness even reported hallucinating encounters with Abuya and dreaming of Nasiruddin Ali, highlighting the extent of mental manipulation at play.
It's important to emphasize that the goal of quarantine is not to foster greater piety or devotion to Allah, but rather to intensify members' fanaticism toward their leaders. A case in point is the GISBH quarantine center in Tioman, where Nasiruddin Ali (the current leader and CEO of GISBH) was once quarantined by Abuya 24 years ago during the Rufaqa era. Accused of harassing female members and having his children distribute drugs within the congregation, Nasiruddin went on to lead GISBH and reportedly imposed even harsher punishments on members following his own experience in quarantine.
As of October 1, 2024, the police are investigating claims made by PUKAS that Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) operates several quarantine centers in various locations, both domestically and internationally. In a statement on September 28, 2024, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the investigation was prompted by a post on PUKAS's Facebook account. He stated, "Police are looking into the information uploaded via PUKAS's Facebook account, which alleges the existence of GISBH quarantine centers in multiple locations, both within and outside the country. These centers are believed to serve as places for indoctrination and mental abuse of problematic GISBH members."
In conclusion, the revelations surrounding GISBH’s quarantine centers paint a disturbing picture of a system designed to manipulate and control its members. Far from a path to spiritual enlightenment, these facilities serve as instruments of indoctrination, where individuals are stripped of their agency and subjected to psychological torment. The enforced isolation, combined with repetitive indoctrination songs, creates a toxic environment that fosters an unhealthy devotion to Abuya and the organization's leaders. As the police investigation unfolds, it is crucial for society to scrutinize the practices within these centers and hold accountable those who exploit the vulnerable under the guise of faith. The testimonies of former members highlight the urgent need for awareness and intervention, reminding us that cult-like behaviors can thrive in the shadows if left unchecked. As we continue to unravel the layers of manipulation and control, it becomes evident that the fight against such organizations is not just about protecting individuals but also about safeguarding the integrity of genuine spiritual beliefs. The call for transparency and justice must resonate loudly, as the stories of those who have suffered at the hands of GISBH demand to be heard.
Aaron Colt is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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