THE Selangor State Government through the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) is monitoring the movements of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) following the issue of heretical teachings associated with the company.

Islamic Religion and State Innovation Culture Exco Mohammad Fahmi Ngah was reported as saying that the monitoring was carried out after individuals in the company were known to have been involved with the heresy of al-Arqam more than 30 years ago.

However, regarding the issue of child exploitation and other crimes, he left the matter to the police to investigate and take action based on the reports that the authorities had previously received.

He said the state government is investigating from the point of view of religious belief and the spread of religious teachings carried out by individuals associated with the group.

“There are allegations that link them to previous heretical teachings such as al-Arqam. Therefore, MAIS has indeed been aware of and monitoring everything for a long time.

“There are complaints received, that’s why investigations and monitoring are done. But, I don’t want to jump to conclusions prematurely as to whether the individual in question did something that is against the Islamic faith or not. Let MAIS investigate,” he said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia.

Previously, the Malay daily reported that representatives of GISBH were waiting for a response from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to hold a follow-up meeting on issues related to the company regarding child exploitation and heresy.

GISBH’s management representative said they had sent an application letter on Sept 1 to hold a meeting with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to ask for views and advice, but has not received any response until now. — TMR