THE Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) fiasco rumbles on as the public react in horror at the alleged child abuse in numerous care centres run by the organisation.
The situation is not helped as all manner of conjecture and rumour make the rounds on social media. They range from sexual abuse, human trafficking and money laundering to foreign and unclean objects being used as ingredients in restaurants run by the organisation.
The fact that GISBH is linked with the outlawed Al-Arqam sect coupled with accusations of deviant Islamic teachings has also coloured public opinion.
However, not everyone is pleased with the manner in which the wide array of investigations is being handled. Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim who is renowned for his righteousness has made his concerns known in the August House.
YB Pasir Gudang mengatakan bahawa penggunaan SOSMA terhadap ahli GISB adalah satu penganiayaan. #AWANInews #SisiTvParlimen #DewanRakyat pic.twitter.com/YGYeOd6q5w
— Astro AWANI (@501Awani) October 15, 2024
The PKR member said it was unfair that the alleged perpetrators were being held under Security Offences (Special Measures Act) 2012 (SOSMA) which allowed for prolonged detention without being brought before a court of law.
The 73-year-old Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmaker further questioned why these alleged wrongdoers were being treated as “terrorists” who needed to be escorted by heavily armed police personnel.
He urged that the suspects be brought to trial so that the due process of law is observed and justice is meted out.
However, his exhortations were not universally popular with many netizens exclaiming that deviant teachings were tantamount to acts of terror aimed at destroying the fabric of society.
A few sarcastically urged Hassan to join the GISBH cult along with his family members to see if he will change his tune.
One netizen made the mistaken assumption that the Pasir Gudang MP was a PAS member given the Islamist party has voiced similar concerns over the perceived persecution of GISB.
Another also (mistakenly) said the role of the opposition is to simply oppose regardless of issue.
Some asked what was the MP’s motivation in wanting to defend GISBH? Had Karim also been “charmed” after consuming food and drink at a GISBH-run eatery?
Others very pointedly urged the MP, who is a trained lawyer, to first take care of the road condition in Pasir Gudang before making statements on GISB.
Let’s be clear. This is a very serious matter. Allegations of child abuse are never to be trivialised.
However, the right honourable MP does make a valid point. It does seem that the authorities are playing to the gallery with its heavy-handed approach to investigations which has included closing of business premises and freezing of bank accounts.
Similar sentiments had been raised by human rights activist and lawyer Charles Hector who said that proper protocols must be adhered to. Otherwise, the authorities may be seen as biased and the entire prosecution is tainted with prejudice.
The knee jerk reactions of many netizens to Hassan’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat underline the sensitive nature of this case.
But if citizens of this country want to see justice be fairly meted out then due process must be adhered to lest the process be tainted with malas fides and the investigation is made to look like a witch-hunt. – Oct 16, 2024
