KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — On Wednesday, twenty-two individuals associated with an Islamic business organization were charged with being part of an organized crime syndicate. This development followed the rescue of hundreds of children last month from welfare institutions connected to the group, where it was alleged that they had suffered sexual abuse.
Among those charged is Nasiruddin Mohamad Ali, the CEO of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, alongside his spouse, Azura Mohamad Yusof. Their arrest, which occurred last month, formed part of an expanded investigation into human trafficking and financial crimes. Additionally, Islamic authorities are probing GISB for promoting teachings aligned with the controversial Islamic sect, Al Arqam, which has been banned since 1994 for being deemed heretical.
Global Ikhwan was founded by the late Ashaari Mohamad, the leader of Al Arqam, and the group prospered following his passing in 2010. In total, Nasiruddin, his wife, and Ashaari’s son are included in the group charged. Defense attorney Rosli Kamaruddin noted that no pleas were entered during the preliminary proceedings, as the case will be referred to a higher court. He affirmed that they would contest the charges.
Rosli emphasized the intent to fight against the accusations in court and expressed uncertainty regarding potential additional charges. He also indicated plans to approach the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a reassessment of the charges and the detention of the accused without trial.
If convicted, the accused could face sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment. Last month, police saved over 500 children from GISB-affiliated welfare homes, where many were believed to have endured sexual exploitation, neglect of medical needs, and physical abuse. The alarming revelations provoked public outrage and heightened demands for enhanced child safety regulations and scrutiny of childcare establishments.
GISB, which promotes an Islamic lifestyle, oversees a variety of businesses, including mini-markets, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, and properties in various countries, employing approximately 5,000 individuals. Authorities have also frozen bank accounts associated with GISB amid the investigations. Reports suggest that many of the rescued children were placed in these welfare homes since infancy, where they were thought to have been indoctrinated to demonstrate loyalty to the organization and potentially exploited for fundraising purposes.
The group gained notoriety in 2011 after the controversial establishment of an “Obedient Wives Club,” which drew criticism for instructing women on how to serve as “good sex workers” to maintain their husbands’ fidelity.