Breaking free from GISBH: How eldest sibling escaped a cult and found strength
The teachings, according to Sabrina, centered around their late leader, Ashaari Muhammad, which shaped her early years in a way that was both confusing and unsettling.
SHAH ALAM – Sabrina Bolivar's childhood was far from ordinary. Growing up as a daughter of a former top management of Al-Arqam, now known as GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), she experienced a world that was isolated and oppressive.
The teachings, according to Sabrina, centered around their late leader, Ashaari Muhammad, which shaped her early years in a way that was both confusing and unsettling.
Yet, despite these challenges, Sabrina has managed to find her way to a life of freedom, all while navigating the complexities of her childhood without the full support of her parents.
As the eldest of four siblings, Sabrina’s childhood was shaped by the cult's alleged teachings.
Life was often confusing, leaving her yearning for a normal childhood.
But her story took a turn toward hope when her beloved grandmother stepped in to save her, giving her the chance to escape the confines of the cult.
Though Sabrina recalled the difficult memories of living with 24 stepsiblings and being cared for by strangers, she now thrived in her new life, embracing the responsibility of being the guiding light for her younger siblings.
"It was like living in hell because we were constantly separated from our mother and other family members.
"I remember when I was little, I would always cry for my mom and grandmother because we were kept apart.
"The fact that I had to live with strangers, male strangers referred to as 'ustaz', made it even worse.
"It wasn’t like a charity home; it was more like 'rumah-rumah' (temporary housing), where I was living with families that weren’t even related to me.
"I have to be like their (siblings and stepsiblings) parents; I have to step up as the firstborn, and the responsibility is endless," she said during a live Fireside Chat with Sinar Daily recently.
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. With an ill mother who battled postnatal depression and a father, once part of the cult’s top management, who has since passed away, Sabrina's role as the eldest sibling became even more vital.
She was there for her siblings every step of the way, helping them find their paths to freedom.
Some of Sabrina’s siblings were still connected to the group, while others were making their way out.
"Most of them have escaped the group; some still work in it to make ends meet, and others are struggling to leave because they haven’t finished high school yet," she said.
One of the most heartwarming parts of Sabrina’s story was her discovery of her siblings after the age of four.
They had grown up not knowing each other well, but over time, they became a close-knit support system.
She also shared that they received their birth certificates from an Al-Arqam clinic, and her mother had unknowingly married a man deeply tied to the cult.
Her mother’s journey was equally challenging. After realising the truth about the cult, her mother faced the difficult decision to leave, despite her love for Sabrina’s father.
"She eventually accepted the divorce because she knew the whole belief system in the group was wrong," Sabrina said.
At the heart of Sabrina’s strength was her grandmother, Christine Rohani Longuet, a French-Venezuelan woman whose unwavering support gave Sabrina the foundation to stand tall.
"Alhamdulillah, I have a strong grandmother. She gave me full support, and we are very close," Sabrina said.
With her grandmother’s love and the support of her siblings, Sabrina has found ways to heal from her childhood trauma.
"Me and my sisters always validated each other’s feelings.
"When we are angry or sad, we always check on each other. It helped tremendously.
"It is fine to feel emotional, especially when you’ve been through difficult experiences as a child," she added.
With her grandmother’s love and the support of her siblings, Sabrina has found ways to heal from her childhood trauma.
Sabrina was also passionate about encouraging society to support survivors of trauma, especially those who, like her siblings, may not have had the chance to receive proper education.
"We have to support them to start a new life," she said.
One of her brothers recently escaped the group, a victory that Sabrina celebrated wholeheartedly.
"Alhamdulillah, they are survivors. They strive..many of them are starting their own businesses, and we have to support them to live independently," she said with a sense of relief.
On Sept 11, police rescued 402 children from 20 care homes linked to GISB in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, responding to allegations of abuse, exploitation, and sexual assault.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 171 suspects, including a teacher and dorm caretakers.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the police have re-arrested 34 individuals allegedly linked to GISBH who completed their remand period on Tuesday under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to continue with the investigation.
He said police also found that GISBH’s business methods are facilitated through their version of Aurad Muhammadiah teachings, adding that the group was willing to distort the true teachings of Islam due to their fanaticism towards their leaders.
