PUTRAJAYA: Several premises owned by GISB Holdings (GISB) here closed in the past four days after the company was allegedly involved in the exploitation of children and other offences.
A survey by Berita Harian at three premises at Jalan Diplomatik, Presinct 15 - Ikhwan Delights, Ikhwan Cafe and Ikhwan Bakery- and Ikhwan Mart on Jalan Kedah have stopped operating.
Public university student Addin Hilmi Halim, 20, said the cafe was previously opened daily and rarely closed, as it was a popular spot, especially during working hours.
He said after the news about GISB spread, the cafe began to see fewer customers.
"I've visited the cafe several times to buy food and noticed that many of the staff were young, not particularly friendly, and difficult to interact with.
"Since the cafe closed, the staff have disappeared too. Maybe they were told by their superiors to relocate."
Meanwhile, sales assistant Mohd Faris Haziq Mohd Fauzi, 20, said all GISB premises in the area closed at the same time after the news about the company broke.
He works nearby, and he has never seen on heard about these premises being raided by the authorities in the past.
"As a youngster, I was unaware that GISB was linked to the Al-Arqam group, which was banned by the government years ago, until the news broke," he added.
Previously, it was reported that several business premises under GISBH, such as in Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu, had closed due to the ongoing police investigation on the company.
According to its website, GISB operates a network of restaurants and supermarkets both locally and internationally, including in cities such as Makkah and in countries like Australia.