GISBH branches in Kedah at risk of closure

ALOR STAR: Local governments in Kedah will close down Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) branches in the state if they are found guilty of violating business licensing regulations.

State Housing, Local Government and Health Committee Chairman Mansor Zakaria said authorities in the state have so far not come across any properties linked to GISBH that violate business licensing regulations.

“As long as they are not found guilty (of any violation), we will not punish them, because they were clean up until then (they did not violate any business licensing regulations).

“For example, if they run a restaurant but have other unrelated businesses on the premises, we can take action to revoke their business license,” he told reporters after witnessing a signing ceremony for the upgrading and management of the Shahab Perdana Express Bus Terminal here today.

Mansor said the state government would leave it to the police to investigate the company.

“At this point, we have not received any instructions to investigate. We (local councils) should not be stepping into the jurisdiction of other authorities. However, if there is a report, we will take action,” he said.

Mansor said he had once had a drink at a GISB restaurant, but the business was closed after police recently cracked down on the organization’s leaders and supporters.

Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor promised that the state government would cooperate with the police investigation into GISBH.

The company is under close scrutiny by police and religious authorities over allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation.