Two associated with GISBH charged with possessing prohibited Al-Arqama materials

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — An elderly woman, who is also a member of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court today to possessing 38 prohibited publications related to Al Arqam last month.

Aisha Bula Tajudin, 60, was charged with possessing publications including “Darul Arqam 25 Tahun Perjuangan Abuya Seikh Imarn Ashaari Muhammad al-Tamimi”, “Khutba Aidilfitri 1413 AH”, “Siri Terkini Era Qasih Sayan” “Abuya Pemimpin Kasih Sayan” and “Abuya Ashaari Muhammad Pemimpin Paling Ajaib di Zamanya.”

The crime was allegedly committed at premises in Kampung Sungai Penchala, Brickfields, at 11.30am on September 21.

The charge was framed under Section 8(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman, proposing bail of RM15,000 with two sureties for the accused, said the ban on 38 publications and their possession had been announced in the media, including newspapers and television.

“After three decades of prohibition, there are still people hiding and possessing these items,” he said.

Lawyer Boestamam Ahmad, representing Aisha, asked for a small bail because his client was unemployed and her husband suffered a stroke.

Magistrate Farah Nabiha Muhammad Dan granted the woman bail of RM5,000 with one surety and ordered her to report to the nearest police station once a month.

She set December 4th for the mention.

In another magistrate’s court, before magistrate M.S. Mageswari caterer Mohammad Nazif Jamluddin, 49, has pleaded not guilty to a similar charge.

He was charged with possessing two banned publications associated with Al-Arqam, titled “Perang Teluk Islam Akan Kembali Gemilang” and “Meruntuh Berhala di Tiongkok”.

He was charged with committing the offense at Ekhwan Catering, Kampung Sungai Penchala in Brickfields at 10.30am on September 21.

Mageswari allowed him to post bail of RM5,000 with one surety and set a date of December 4. — Bernama