PETALING JAYA: A caretaker of a welfare home linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) pleaded not guilty in the Selayang sessions court today to a charge of abusing a six-year-old boy at the home.
Syahid Hanapiah, 35, was charged with abusing the victim by caning him in a manner likely to cause him injury, Berita Harian reported.
The offence allegedly occurred at the home in Bandar Country Homes in Rawang, Selangor between February and September this year.
Syahid pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Harun.
Syahid was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of RM50,000, or both, if convicted.
Lailatul allowed bail of RM10,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to avoid contact with the victim or any witnesses.
The case has been set for mention on Nov 5.
GISBH is the focus of police investigations after 402 children were rescued from 20 of its welfare homes last month, with investigations revealing at least 13 cases of sexual abuse.
More than 300 people associated with GISBH, including its top management, have been detained in recent operations, while the firm is also being probed for alleged forced labour and human trafficking.
Earlier, police said it froze over RM1.35 million in 206 bank accounts linked to GISBH.
GISBH previously said it had discarded its former image as the business wing of Al-Arqam and was currently positioned as a multinational company.
Meanwhile, Selangor yesterday became the second state to declare GISBH as an organisation that promotes deviant teachings.
Last month, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin declared that GISBH promoted deviant beliefs and operated its businesses in an unIslamic manner.
