Malaysia’s religious authority accuses firm in child abuse probe of slavery

Malaysia’s religious affairs authority on Thursday accused a conglomerate under investigation for child abuse and money laundering of deploying “elements of slavery” in the way it operates its businesses.

Nooh Gadot, an official at the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, said this was among the reasons why the teachings and beliefs propagated by GISB have been declared deviant, as he urged Muslims to shun the group.

Police in September raided care homes run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), rescuing more than 600 children, some of whom were found to have been abused.

They also arrested 415 people, including the chief executive of GISB, his wife, and senior figures of the company.

“GISB practices economic models that have an element of slavery where the needs of followers will be fully borne by the company and in return, they are required to serve voluntarily without any wages,” Nooh said in a statement Thursday.

Nooh said the group also propagated the belief that water used to wash the hair, beard or body parts of their leaders could bring blessings.