GISBH-linked stores closed in 5 states

Business at stores linked to GISBH has dropped, while many outlets, such as restaurants and supermarkets, have closed. (Photo Bernama)

KUALA LUMPUR: Stores associated with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings have been closed in five states following shocking allegations of child abuse, including sodomy, and deviant teachings at nursing homes linked to the company.

Several businesses believed to be linked to GISBH, such as restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and laundromats, saw their customer base decline following the revelations.

A check in several states today found most businesses closed. No explanation was given for the closure.

Izzuan Ishak, 42, a regular customer of a GISBH restaurant in Taman Rapat, Ipoh, who visits the establishment almost every day, says the restaurant has been closed since yesterday.

Another customer, Firdaus Hashim, 37, also said he was surprised that GISBH stores in the area closed without any warning.

“Maybe they are starting to feel the backlash from the problems that are plaguing the business now and people have become cautious about their businesses,” he said.

At Section 13 in Shah Alam, restaurants and supermarkets affiliated with GISBH were closed. According to members of the public, authorities ordered the closure of the shops three days ago.

A woman identified only as Suri said the company’s restaurant was often busy, especially during breakfast and lunch.

“When the news about them came out, I was really shocked because I didn’t know it was such a big case, as nothing was wrong or felt strange when I went there. I just noticed that the men were working on the front and the women were cooking in the kitchen,” she said.

A restaurant in Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, believed to be connected to the company, has also been closed since yesterday, with chairs, tables and shelves still stacked up.

An employee at a nearby store, who asked to be identified only as Nora, said the restaurant had been quiet since news reports about child exploitation and sex crimes.

“This GISBH restaurant is normally open every day, including Friday and Saturday, from morning to evening. In Kuala Terengganu, it is really difficult to find a restaurant that is open on Friday. If it is Friday, there will be a lot of people in this GISBH restaurant,” she said.

A local resident, 50-year-old Nazri Ghani, said the restaurant had been in business for more than 10 years and that most of the employees were young men in their early teens to early 20s.

In Kota Bharu, Kelantan, a restaurant suspected of having links to GISBH was found chained and locked. The company’s bakery and supermarket in Gua Musang and Tumpat were also closed.

GISBH business premises such as a bakery, laundromat and restaurant in Kuantan, Pahang, are also closed, while a villa in Beserah also looks deserted with a closed entrance.

Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman said his personnel were monitoring GISBH-linked companies operating in the state.

On September 11, police rescued 402 children from 20 nursing homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan who were found to have been victims of physical and emotional abuse and exploited for their work.