ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor state government does not pursue any business operations linked to Islamic organisations unless there is substantial evidence of misconduct or activities opposing the teachings of ‘Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah’, stated Johor State Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, action was initiated against GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) following the discovery of child and women neglect. Investigations conducted by the police and the Johor Mufti Department revealed that GISBH was utilizing its business operations to disseminate deviant teachings.

“We found children, from infants to those aged 18, at the Social Welfare Department’s building, some of whom were being used for forced labour. Islam never condones the mistreatment of women, let alone cases of sexual harassment, which police investigations confirmed occurred,” Mohd Fared conveyed during the Third Session of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail.

He was
addressing an additional inquiry from Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup) regarding the efforts by the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) in tackling deviant teachings, child neglect, and forced labour in the state.

Mohd Fared elaborated that a guideline for forming a committee to combat deviant teachings was introduced during the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) meeting on August 23. The committee’s function is to identify issues of deviant teachings within the state and recommend immediate measures by authorities, concentrating on faith rehabilitation, Syariah law enforcement, and Federal-level legal action.

Furthermore, he stressed that all religious educators intending to impart knowledge in Johor must first acquire accreditation and adhere to state laws.