The Malaysian government has formally accused 22 individuals associated with an Islamic conglomerate, including its chief executive, of organized crime, as revealed in court documents and confirmed by the company’s legal representative.
Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) Holdings’ chief executive Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, his wife Azura Md Yusof, and Adib At-Tamimi, the son of Al-Arqam founder, were among 22 who were charged at the Selayang Sessions Court on Wednesday, October 23, for being members of an organised criminal group.
All 22 were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code and face imprisonment between five and 20 years upon conviction.
GISB came under scrutiny in Malaysia following shocking allegations of child abuse and sodomy, after the police in September raided 20 children welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan states said to be related to GISB and rescued nearly 400 boys and girls.
According to the charge sheet, Nasiruddin is himself accused of being a member of an organised criminal group, GISB, at Bandar Country Homes in Rawang, between October 2022 and Sept 11, 2024.
The 22 accused including Nasiruddin said they understood the charges against them, and the trial is set to take place at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, with Dec 23 set for the case’s mention date.
No plea was recorded from the 22, as the case is also being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
During proceedings, GISB lawyer Rosli Kamaruddin requested Judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Haron to give Nasiruddin and three other members 10 minutes to sign an affidavit, which was granted.
On Sept 21, a total of 155 suspects linked to GISB, including 77 women, were detained in an operation code-named OpsGlobal in all Peninsular Malaysia states, said Malaysian police chief Razarudin Husain.
He said 82 premises were raided, including homes and business premises with links to the group.