Published: Wednesday January 29, 2014 MYT 12:10:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday January 29, 2014 MYT 1:03:59 PM
Updated: Wednesday January 29, 2014 MYT 1:03:59 PM
IGP: No special Syariah police unit; officers to be seconded to Jakim, state depts
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KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no formation of a special Syariah police unit, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Wednesday.
Conceding there was some confusion regarding the matter, Khalid said police officers would be seconded to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state religious departments to assist them.
"There will not be a special Syariah police unit.
"Instead of assisting the departments on an ad hoc basis, we are planning to station officers there permanently," he said in a press conference at Bukit Aman here Wednesday.
Khalid said the police would still provide additional assistance when requested by the departments.
"I hope this will clear the matter once and for all.
"The exact number of personnel to be deployed and the duration are still subject to discussion with Jakim," he said.
It was recently reported that a new police unit was to be set up and based in Jakim to help enforce all laws on Islamic criminal offences.
The proposal, however, sparked debate among constitutional experts and Syariahlawyers, with some questioning the need for such a unit and the powers it will have.