“I am very sad. I am a Muslim, and you are Muslims too. We are divided as Muslims, and then the children are arrested and so on. I am not trying to side with the law; yes, we have legal faults, but can’t advice be given?”

- Global Ikhwan Service and Business Holding (GISBH) executive chairperson and CEO Nasiruddin Mohd Ali

COMMENT | Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin made a few extraordinary claims against the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) when it came to the GISBH scandal.

He implied that the slow action of the department when it came to GISBH was either because “some were unwilling to take the risk”, “others may have viewed it as insignificant”, or “some of the group (GISBH)’s beliefs are linked to certain individuals involved".

In other words, Jakim’s cowardice, ineptitude, or religious simpatico were the possible reasons for the inaction.

Keep in mind what Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said - “Based on intelligence and initial statements gathered...