Call to protect GISBH an affront to Islam, PAS told

 

Sisters in Islam said vulnerable individuals should never be exploited for the sake of protecting a business network. (PDRM pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A women’s rights group has hit out at PAS for allegedly trying to protect a company accused of exploiting children, saying its call for the company to be safeguarded from action was an 

affront to Islam

.

Sisters in Islam (SIS) observed that certain politicians, religious figures and community leaders have been trying to shield the perpetrators instead of calling out their misuse of power.

Singling out PAS, it said while the party had called for action against the wrongdoers, its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan, had mentioned that the drive to punish should not negatively affect Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) as a whole.

Takiyuddin had said on Sunday that GISBH’s extensive business network should be protected from 

hasty and unfair action that may arise from reckless sentiments, prejudices, business rivalries, or political agendas of those seeking to take advantage of the situation

.

SIS questioned if PAS truly believed that it was acceptable to build a business empire on the suffering of abused children and women.

It also wondered if the party was willing to overlook the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for the sake of protecting a business network.

This is not just an insult to women, children and families, it is an affront to the values of Islam itself,

 it said in a statement.

On Sept 11, police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which the authorities had linked to GISBH, and rescued 402 children and made several arrests.

Police said their investigations showed that at least 13 of the children were sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH has denied the allegations and any links to the case.

SIS said Malaysia, which prides itself on diversity, human rights and fairness, must reject any attempt to cloak exploitation under the guise of religious business.

“It is time for Malaysians to face the uncomfortable truth that when businesses like GISBH are allowed to flourish, unchecked and defended, it is more than just witnessing individual wrongdoing.

“We are watching a systemic failure – one where religious justification is weaponised to excuse behaviour that should never be tolerated.

Enough is enough. If we claim to stand for justice, then our society must rise and reject these so-called ‘defenders’ of faith who, in reality, are nothing more than defenders of exploitation. - FMT