IGP: GISB supporters unable to flee due to frozen funds, arrested leaders

KOTA BARU: Police suspect that supporters of GISB Holdings (GISBH) are still in the country because they do not have the financial means to flee to neighbouring countries such as Thailand.

Police Inspector General Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the followers’ finances were being managed by GISBH leaders, who were recently arrested and had their accounts frozen.

“The top brass of GISBH have been arrested so those below them (followers) cannot escape. GISBH followers are hiding (in the country) because they have no money, no salary or other means to escape,” he told Bernama.

Moreover, they have no refuge in Thailand.

“Even if they flee to Thailand, where would they go? The five top GISBH leaders have already been arrested by the police, so I don’t see them going there (to Thailand).”

According to him, intelligence services and police investigations have shown that no GISBH supporter has fled to the country’s borders.

Razarudin confirmed claims that establishments such as laundromats, motels, pharmacies and restaurants linked to GISBH in several states have changed their signage following police operations.

“Yes, many GISBH establishments have changed their signboards. We have identified them and are investigating the matter,” he said, adding that the police are investigating the matter from various angles.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) told Bernama that MAIK would intensify operations to raid GISBH properties, including those linked to the founder of the banned Al-Arqam, the late Ashaari Muhammad.

“We are assisting the Kelantan police and Islamic Affairs Department by searching for written sources that refer to Abuya Ustaz Ashaari,” the spokesperson said.

A Bernama investigation this morning into establishments such as laundrettes, motels, pharmacies and restaurants affiliated with GISBH in Kota Bharu, Tumpat and Gua Musang revealed that they have closed down and ceased operations.

A hotel in Kota Bharu linked to the group has also changed its GISBH signage to a different hotel name.

In addition, checks at a charity and school associated with GISBH in Gong Kulim, Pasir Puteh, which was searched by police yesterday, found it to be cordoned off with yellow police tape and empty.

Ten horse stables at the site were also cleared out, with the horses presumably being moved elsewhere.

On September 11, police rescued 402 children and teenagers from 20 charities allegedly linked to GISBH in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, suspected of being victims of labour and sexual exploitation.

The police operations called Op Global brought to light cases of neglect and abuse, leading to the arrest of several individuals linked to GISBH. — BERNAMA

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