IGP denies setting up of shariah police unit
Jan 29: The Inspector-General of Police today denied they were setting up a shariah police unit, adding that previous statements on the issue were a “misunderstanding”.
The statement on the shariah police unit was first raised by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and was later was confirmed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding of what is going on,” Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters during a joint press conference with the armed forces at Bukit Aman today.
“Currently, federal and state religious authorities seek police assistance on an ad-hoc basis.
“At present, police and the home ministry are exploring the possibility of seconding police personnel to the religious authorities on a permanent basis,” he said, adding this did not mean setting up a shariah police unit.
Khalid said the idea is still being discussed between police, Jakim and the Home Ministry.
The IGP said Jakim would also need to apply to the Public Service Department to open additional positions so that the seconded policemen will have official postings.
Khalid said the seconded policemen would assist Jakim or state religious authorities in investigations and enforcement of Islamic law.
He said with this move, there would no longer be any ad-hoc requests for police assistance.
Khalid insisted that there were no plans for police to set up a shariah unit and enforce Islamic laws as had been reported previously.
“There is no truth in reports that we are going to set up a unit and go after couples in parks or for committing close proximity (khalwat),” Khalid said.
Yesterday, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad strongly objected to the formation of a shariah police unit, saying it would not solve the issues plaguing Muslims.
In a posting on his blog, Dr Mahathir said, “The Islamic religion does not encourage coercion, nor should it be used as the basis to form a police state.
“Islamic laws in Malaysia are different from that of other countries and so is its enforcement and execution.
“Visitors from other Islamic countries which have different religious laws will get confused with the different practices here.”
source: Yahoo! News
