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MEMBAKUT: The Sabah Fatwa Committee (JFLNS) will announce its decision next month regarding the beliefs and activities of Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holdings (GISBH), which is currently embroiled in various controversies.

Sabah Islamic Affairs Exco Datuk Ariffin Arif said a thorough investigation would be carried out to determine the teachings of GISBH, which are alleged to be linked to the Al-Arqam beliefs that the Government has banned.

“I have already asked the Mufti’s Office and JFLNS to review and make a ruling (on GISBH’s beliefs). 

“In early October, they will hold a meeting to decide on the organisation’s beliefs.

“If it is similar to Rufaqa’ (a company owned by the banned Al-Arqam group), the same decision will be made as before,” he said after a keynote address by Ustaz Abdul Somad, here, on Wednesday.

Ariffin was asked about the actions of Islamic authorities in Sabah regarding GISBH, which is understood to also operate in the State through various business sectors.

Ariffin, who is also State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said the Sabah Fatwa Council had banned Rufaqa Corporation Sdn Bhd owned by Al-Arqam several years ago.

“We banned Rufaqa around 2014, if I am not mistaken. At that time, I personally announced the ban.

“Once the meeting (on GISBH in October) is concluded, the Mufti will inform us and subsequently the Government will announce it to the public,” he said.

It has been reported that GISBH is also under investigation by the authorities for several allegations, including child exploitation at childcare centres owned by the company.

The company is also alleged to have connections with the Al-Arqam organisation, founded by its leader Ustaz Ashaari Muhamad, which was banned by the Government in 2000.

Aside from Sabah, GISBH, led by Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali as its Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, also operates various business networks throughout the country.