GISB CEO among 22 charged with being members of organised crime group

Also charged was son of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad, Mohammad Adib At-Tarmimi and 19 other individuals, namely Mohd Shukri Mohd Noor, Muhammad Afdaluddin Latif, Mohamad Sayuti Omar, Mohd Fazil Md Jasin, Mohd Dhirar Fakhrur Razi, Mokhtar Tajuddin, Muhammad Fajrul Islam Khalid, Abu Ubaidah Ahmad Shukri, Shuhaimi Mohamed, Hasnan Abd Hamid and Muhammad Zahid Azhar @ Nadzri.

Others were Khalilatul-Zalifah Mohammad Jamil, Nur Jannah Omar, Hamimah Yakub, Asmat@Asmanira Muhammad Ramly, Nurul Jannah Idris, Siti Salmiah Ismail, Siti Hajar Ismail and Mahani Kasim.

The 13 men and nine women said they understood the charges after they were read out separately before Judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Harun.

No pleas were recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

They are all accused of being members of an organised crime group, GISB at a premises in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, here, between October 2020 and Sept 11, 2024.

The accused, aged between 27 and 72, were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which is punishable by imprisonment of between five and 20 years, upon conviction.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ali requested the court to set a date for case mention.

Lawyer Datuk Rosli Kamaruddin, representing all the accused, sought the court's opinion regarding a bail application for all of his clients.

"Since this case involves a charge under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and it will be transferred to the High Court, we are seeking clarification on whether the bail application can be heard in this court or the High Court," he said.

However, Judge Lailatul Zuraida said that the bail application must be made in the High Court and set Dec 23 for mention of the case.

Meanwhile, Rosli applied for one of his clients, Siti Salmiah, to receive medical treatment due to health issues, and the application was granted by the judge.

"Any accused facing health problems can receive medical treatment," said Lailatul Zuraida.

In today's proceedings, Rosli was assisted by lawyers Zaim Rosli, Dorina Abdullah, Bestaman Ahmad, and M Hafiz Zainal Abidin.

The prosecution team also comprised DPPs Datuk Nazrah Mohd Sham, Lina Hanini Ismail, and Siti Hajar Mat Radzi.

All the accused arrived at the court at 9.30 am in two police trucks, escorted by several four-wheel-drive vehicles and police patrol cars, under tight security provided by more than 50 officers from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department.

On Oct 10, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zin said that the top GISBH leader was among the 58 individuals re-arrested under SOSMA.

Since the launch of the first phase of Op Global in September, authorities have arrested 415 individuals, including the top management of GISBH, and rescued 625 victims aged between two months and 28 years.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Rosli said his team would be submitting a representation to challenge the charge faced by all the accused.

-- BERNAMA