KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) has arrested 108 people linked to GISB Holdings to date.
In a statement, Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the 108 people were arrested for various syariah offences.
"We expect the arrests to continue as we are working on identifying more suspects based on intelligence, complaints, and information received by Jais."
Investigations revealed several practices and beliefs among the suspects that contradict enforced fatwas, Shahzihan said.
These include the belief that associating with their leaders could bring blessings and guarantee entry to heaven, practising Aurad Muhammadiah, and believing that their leader, Abuya, is still alive in the unseen world.
Other beliefs also include that Abuya's body floated because God raised him, and they claim that either Prophet Muhammad or Abuya himself would attend certain events organised by the group.
Abuya is the name used by followers of the long-banned Al-Arqam for their leader, Ashaari Mohammad. Many GISB members were once members of Al-Arqam.
Shahzihan added that marriages and divorces within the group were arranged by the leaders, with marriage ceremonies conducted in a manner dictated by them.
"We found that many marriages lacked legal documentation, some involving virgin men and women without approval from the Selangor Registrar of Muslim Marriages, Divorces, and Ruju'.
"Additionally, some polygamous marriages were performed without permission from the Syariah Court," he said.
He said the situation has caused confusion in determining the legitimacy of children, the status of marriages, and the proper documentation of children's parents.
"The unresolved issues are expected to have significant consequences as the rescued children grow up, potentially leading to illegitimate marriages or unlawful relationships (wati syubhah)."
Meanwhile, Jais is currently collaborating with the Social Welfare Department, the National Registration Department, and other relevant agencies to trace the family backgrounds of 435 children who were rescued during Op Global.