A Malaysian company that built a global halal food empire is now at the center of a horrifying scandal. Leaders of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), which operates restaurants and businesses worldwide, are accused of running a cult-like organization that abused hundreds of children and exploited its followers for decades.

In September, Malaysian police raided over two dozen homes run by GISBH, rescuing more than 600 children. Many of the kids were malnourished and showed signs of physical and emotional abuse. Authorities charged several GISBH leaders with crimes like child trafficking, sexual abuse, and organized crime. The company’s lawyer, however, insists they will fight the charges.

Former members describe GISBH as a tightly controlled, cult-like group. Children were raised in care homes, often believing they were orphans, even though their parents worked for the company. They were taught to worship the group’s leaders and were forced into labor at a young age, packaging noodles and operating machinery in GISBH factories. Many were also subjected to severe abuse, including being locked in dog kennels as punishment.

The company’s practices didn’t stop there. Workers reportedly sprayed so-called “holy water”—a mix of the leaders’ saliva, hair, and bathwater—on food products sold to the public. Former members also describe a culture of forced marriages, sexual exploitation, and extreme isolation, with followers denied access to the outside world.

The scandal has shocked Malaysia, where GISBH was once praised for its charitable work and Islamic values. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged authorities to investigate the allegations. Meanwhile, the children rescued from the care homes are undergoing reeducation programs to help them reintegrate into society.

For former members, the fallout is devastating. Many say they were brainwashed and now struggle to rebuild their lives outside the group. “They say if you are in the group, you are on the highway to Heaven,” said one former member. “Outside, we have nowhere to go.”

The case is a grim reminder of how far a once-respected company has fallen. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and uncovering the full extent of the abuse.