KUALA LUMPUR: Despite rebuttals, the ongoing police investigations into members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) have revealed that they are still practising the banned "Aurad Muhammadiya" teachings.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said despite circulating claims that these practices had ceased, such assertions were unfounded.
"I would like to emphasise that the police investigation thus far has revealed confessions indicating that the practices related to the teachings of Aurad Muhammadiya are still being carried out by those we have apprehended and investigated.
"Therefore, even if statements are circulating that claim they no longer practise that, those are simply unfounded claims.
"We will only discuss based on the details and findings of the ongoing investigations," he said during the ministry's explanatory session on the GISB issue in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Yesterday (Oct 15), the daughter of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad denied that GISB continued to follow the teachings of the deviant sect.
Khaulah Ashaari said that the organisation had consistently stressed to its members not to practise any teachings that go against Islamic principles.
At the same time, Saifuddin said several follow-up actions will be taken by the authorities, particularly in tracking down and recovering assets owned by the group.
"Investigations abroad are not an easy task. The initial statement from the Inspector-General of Police mentioned the company's failure to pay income tax to the Inland Revenue Board and its failure to pay salaries.
"The investigation into foreign entities will be expanded. Failing to pay salaries is a serious offence (especially) in these 19 countries.
"Therefore, the police have contacted those countries using a mutual legal agreement to facilitate cooperation," he said.
Meanwhile, he added that the National Registration Department will develop a family tree to trace lineages of the GISB children, aimed at avoiding future issues with their ancestry.
He added that the matter will be conducted considering the complexities of the children being left in a situation where they do not know their family background.
"This will all be done transparently by our team of psychologists, " he added.
GISB had been at the centre of police investigations since Sept 11, when raids on 20 of its allegedly operated welfare homes led to the rescue of over 400 children.
Further medical screenings revealed that many of these children suffered physical and emotional abuse, with 13 reportedly being sodomised.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, GISB had denied any involvement in child exploitation or sexual abuse.