Wed Sep 11 23:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Denies Child Labour Allegations

**PETALING JAYA:** Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), a multi-million ringgit conglomerate, has vehemently denied allegations of child labour exploitation. The company, operating across 20 countries with a reported annual turnover of RM187 million, issued a statement on its social media page yesterday, labeling the claims as defamatory and vowing to cooperate with authorities to clear its name.

GISB, which boasts 25 subsidiaries in various sectors including grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, poultry and meat suppliers, property developers, and travel agencies, has a reported workforce of 5,346 employees. According to a corporate video on their website, the workforce comprises 3,658 “youth” employees and 1,698 “adult” workers. The video also highlights the company’s network of 1,656 families, including 1,232 monogamous and 425 polygamous families.

Authorities are currently investigating potential ties between GISB and Al-Arqam, a Muslim group banned by the government in 1994 due to its teachings being declared deviant. While GISB was founded by Ashaari Muhammad, also the founder of Al-Arqam, the company’s senior leadership has denied any association with the banned group.

This development comes amidst reports of police raids on homes, prompting concerns about possible exploitation. The full extent of the investigation and its potential implications for GISB remain unclear.

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