Khalwat raids will only be conducted if there are complaints with solid basis
Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, Ahmad Suhael Adnan, Zarul Fitrie Muhd Zamrie
New Straits Times8 October 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Religious authorities will only conduct raids for khalwat (close proximity involving unmarried couples) if they receive complaints with a solid basis, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
He advised those who wanted to lodge complaints to the religious authorities on such activities to talk to the wrongdoers first.
“You have to give advice first by telling them that what they are doing is wrong. If you have made all efforts, but their actions continue to encroach into the public sphere, then only do you come and talk to us (religious authorities).
“We don’t carry out raids immediately after receiving the reports. There are certain issues that we have to check first and this is the thing that we are improving on,” he told a press conference after at a roundtable conference at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia here.
Mujahid was explaining the recent report by English daily “The Star”, where he had reportedly said that he would be engaging with religious agencies at state level on khalwat raids, specifically those that involve breaking down doors to arrest offenders.
“For the authorities, any enforcement on moral values must be carried out cautiously, whether in the public or private sphere.
“For the government, what you do in your private space is none of our concern. But as a Muslim, if you see your neighbours doing something wrong, then it is your responsibility to advise them.”
He said the authorities can conduct raids at private premises should the act cause public disorder, however it must adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) outlined by the religious department.
Citing the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department’s (Jawi) SOP, Mujahid said the enforcement officers were not allowed to trespass into houses or kick the door and cause damage to it during raids.
“As far as the SOP is concerned, it is not stated that the officers can do whatever they want.”
Mujahid said enforcement for khalwat was not only limited to cheap and budget hotels, but could also be held at five stars hotels, as long as there was solid basis to the complaints. © New Straits Times Press
Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, Ahmad Suhael Adnan, Zarul Fitrie Muhd Zamrie
New Straits Times8 October 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Religious authorities will only conduct raids for khalwat (close proximity involving unmarried couples) if they receive complaints with a solid basis, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
He advised those who wanted to lodge complaints to the religious authorities on such activities to talk to the wrongdoers first.
“You have to give advice first by telling them that what they are doing is wrong. If you have made all efforts, but their actions continue to encroach into the public sphere, then only do you come and talk to us (religious authorities).
“We don’t carry out raids immediately after receiving the reports. There are certain issues that we have to check first and this is the thing that we are improving on,” he told a press conference after at a roundtable conference at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia here.
Mujahid was explaining the recent report by English daily “The Star”, where he had reportedly said that he would be engaging with religious agencies at state level on khalwat raids, specifically those that involve breaking down doors to arrest offenders.
“For the authorities, any enforcement on moral values must be carried out cautiously, whether in the public or private sphere.
“For the government, what you do in your private space is none of our concern. But as a Muslim, if you see your neighbours doing something wrong, then it is your responsibility to advise them.”
He said the authorities can conduct raids at private premises should the act cause public disorder, however it must adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) outlined by the religious department.
Citing the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department’s (Jawi) SOP, Mujahid said the enforcement officers were not allowed to trespass into houses or kick the door and cause damage to it during raids.
“As far as the SOP is concerned, it is not stated that the officers can do whatever they want.”
Mujahid said enforcement for khalwat was not only limited to cheap and budget hotels, but could also be held at five stars hotels, as long as there was solid basis to the complaints. © New Straits Times Press
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