In a Facebook post by the Selangor Royal Office, Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that all GISBH premises in Selangor which are unregistered and suspected of committing criminal activities be closed immediately.
He said the criminal acts uncovered have tarnished the good name and sanctity of Islam.
On Sept 11, police rescued 402 children from 18 welfare homes in Selangor and two in Negeri Sembilan which the authorities had linked to GISBH.
Police said their investigations showed that at least 13 of the children were sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.
“I am upset and disappointed that this matter has gone on for so long (but) no effective action was taken to address it,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.
“We need to accept the fact that the delay in dealing with this matter shows the religious agencies’ weakness in monitoring and enforcing the law against Islamic religious schools and welfare homes related to GISBH and its network, thus causing this issue to become uncontrollable.”
He said the Selangor fatwa committee has been tasked with examining whether GISBH’s practices deviate or contradict the true teachings of Islam.
Yesterday, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin declared that GISBH promotes deviant beliefs and operates businesses in an unIslamic manner, following a review by the state fatwa committee.
Asri said the committee concluded that GISBH’s beliefs are a continuation of those adopted by the banned Al-Arqam movement and that they foster a cult-like devotion to its leaders, elevating them to a status comparable to Prophet Muhammad.
Among the concerning practices highlighted are the blind veneration of leaders, taking blessings from their physical remains, and fabricating new shariah rulings to justify their activities, he said.
‘Check religious schools, welfare homes’
In his Facebook post, Sultan Sharafuddin advised parents and guardians who send their children to religious schools or welfare homes to check their background to ensure these premises are registered and do not implement “dubious” programmes.
He said this was crucial in ensuring that children are given proper education and care.
He also warned all parties, especially the religious authorities, to take a serious view of issues related to GISBH, especially when it involves children and the heretical teachings which GISBH is suspected of practising.
“Immediate and decisive action without any compromise must be taken under the law against any party that commits crimes against children and practices that are against the faith in order to preserve the purity of Islam,” he said.
“I don’t want us to be likened to an ’empty can’ that is just good at talking but does not produce results. We must adhere to the principle of ‘walking the talk’ or ‘putting words into action’.”
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said 200 people linked to GISBH have been arrested in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Kedah, with 31 of those arrests made since Wednesday.
He said 139 suspects who were previously detained have had their remand extended, while 23 others have been granted police bail.
Those arrested are being investigated under Section 32(a) of the Child Act 2001, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022.