Defiant Badar squad to continue khalwat raids

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 Nov 2018 7:00AM · 12 Comments

Badar squad leader Azhar Mohamad (with microphone) says members follow standards and procedures when conducting raids. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, November 19, 2018.

THE controversial anti-vice Badar squad has vowed to continue its work despite being slammed over its excessive methods.

Azhar Mohamad, the leader of the Sg Petani-based group, said members have explained to Kedah religious exco Dr Ismail Salleh what it does when carrying out raids to nab Muslims committing khalwat (close proximity).

He said Ismail accepted the explanation given yesterday afternoon and did not order the squad to cease its operations.

“The issue now is that we are being accused of conducting operations ‘ikut nafsu’ (self-indulgently). It’s all slander. We met the exco on Sunday to respond to the allegations,” Azhar told The Malaysian Insight after the meeting.

“We work to curb disobedience to God, not according to our whims. We operate according to standards and procedures. We inform the relevant authorities, including police, about what we do.

“We never simply do what we like, or anything cruel or violent. We will continue our work. The exco did not say we have to stop. He told us to follow the law.”

Besides Azhar, seven others, including independent preacher Ahmad Husam Badarudin, attended the hour-long meeting with Ismail at the exco’s Wisma Darul Aman office.

The Badar squad has, for the last two years, carried out raids on budget hotels in Sg Petani. Those caught committing khalwat are taken to a cemetery, where they receive counselling.

Azhar previously said the squad has nabbed “hundreds of couples”.

Kedah religious exco Dr Ismail Salleh says enforcement activities must be carried out with the permission of the authorities, referring to the Badar squad – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 19, 2018.

It was reported that the group does not have clearance from federal or state religious authorities to carry out raids.

Sg Petani MP Johari Abdul has hit out at the squad, saying the counselling carried out at the cemetery is excessive.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa has said those who take the law into their own hands in the name of Islam only tarnished their good deeds and intentions.

Azhar insists that Badar squad members have not done wrong by the religion, saying their aim is to ensure Muslim youth do not commit khalwat.

“Please don’t spin the issue and slander the squad.”

Khalwat is a big problem, he said, citing several cases that the group has come across.

“We had a case where the child involved was only 12. Only 12, but already pregnant. What religion accepts that kind of behaviour?”

Asked about the squad yesterday, Ismail, in a WhatsApp message, said: “Enforcement activities must be carried out with the permission of the authorities.”

It was reported that he said the squad’s action of taking couples to the cemetery is wrong in the eyes of the law, and that it cannot simply conduct raids as such operations by law enforcement agencies have standard operating procedures that must be followed. – November 19, 2018.

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Comments

  • Badar squad only focus on Khalwat.
    They should include corruption, mat rampit, drugs and 1mbd crimes when doing their Islamic duties. This self proclaimed enforcers are nothing more than cheeky Taliban youths.

    Posted 5 years ago by Manfredd Ng · Reply

  • Is khalwat the only sin for you idiots? What about bribery, cheating, theft, murder etc?
    Real bunch of cavemen kundies

    Posted 5 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • Are we in Afghanistan or Pakistan or some camel herder countries?
    Why bother what the couple do in the private room since all of them already are adults?
    If they commit a sin, It's between them and their god. Why so busy body?

    Posted 5 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Badar squad... jaga anak bini kamu dulu.. jangan2 mereka pun pelacur.. penyundal. Cermin keluarga kita sendiri dulu

    Posted 5 years ago by Zainal Mahfodz · Reply

  • God is powerless, Badar's service is needed.. lol

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • This world is made chaotic by the people who love to play God.

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • A bunch of lawless gangsters running around claiming they were endorsed by the religious authority. LOL.

    Posted 5 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Need to find out who is funding them. Cut off funding and it will all go away.

    Posted 5 years ago by Kenneth Tan · Reply

  • Badar has started showing its fang and clearly it is no respect for law and authorities. They are moving into the directions of self proclaimed law enforment organization. This are the similar modus operandi to ISIS or the Taliban and Al Queda. Discussing with Kedah religious authories are just nothing to substantiate as thsi is now a federal case of illegal formation of grouping with intent to crate choas in the guise of religion. The Kedah religious authorities has been quiet and close an eye to their nonscensical activities for two years , expect no actions from them in this discussions. They are totally incompetent and makan gaji buta. I am still waiting for the Kedah MB to find his missing voice. Actually this Badar group grew prominence and embollden by the previous PAS/ Umno reign in making almost a caliphate state and with the change of guard to PH who remain silent was viewed by this misfit group as licence given to continue. The police have better to move in before many other vigilante will start forming themselves and we will have unlawful disorder created unnecessarily.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Badar knows that this leadership just like the earlier one lacks the political will or the gonads to bring these extremists to their knees. A shame really.

    Posted 5 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • All the politicians are afraid to go and state the truth against these thugs that they are illegal and without any mandate. Mandate by God as they claim is not justifiable, only 1500 years ago. There are laws in this country. The politicians are afraid to lose votes! MB Kedah?!?! Hello!!!! Where are you ?!?!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • MB Kedah wouldn't be MB Kedah if not for daddy Tun.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply