Kedah vigilantes a grave problem

Mustafa K. Anuar Mustafa K. Anuar Updated 7 years ago · Published on 14 Nov 2018 7:21PM · 6 Comments

The Badar Squad in Kedah nabs couples committing khalwat and takes them to a Muslim cemetery for counselling. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 14, 2018.

THERE seems to be growing contention in our society that the development and image of Islam would be greatly enhanced only when illicit sex is monitored and curbed. Or so we are led to believe by a vigilante group called the Badar Squad in Kedah.

For the last two years, the self-appointed moral police have been on weekend prowls to catch couples deemed to be committing khalwat (close proximity) at budget hotels and parks.

Claiming to have “caught hundreds of couples”, founder and leader Azhaar Mohamad said the group takes these couples to a cemetery for counselling, where they are told that they would end up in the grave to answer for their carnal sins – hence, they need to quickly mend their ways.

To be sure, the raids conducted all these years are considered illegal by the authorities.

Even if they were legal, pouncing only on the occupants of cheap hotels, and not the well-heeled and well-connected people staying at posh hotels and elsewhere, is an unjust, unfair act. Besides, it’s easier to catch small fry.

Their act of volunteerism is commendable, only if they put it to better use for the good of the larger society. It would be good if they seek other ways to make our society better.

At the very least, doing things other than moral policing would put to rest the suspicion among the public that some in this vigilante group are inclined to voyeurism.

Badar Squad founder and leader Azhaar Mohamad (centre) in front of a budget hotel in Sg Petani. Pouncing only on couples who commit khalwat at cheap hotels, and not the well-heeled and well-connected people staying at posh hotels and elsewhere, is an unjust, unfair act. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 14, 2018.

Take poverty. Perhaps, they may want to put their collective energy and time to better use by volunteering to monitor the pockets of poverty in their midst, and subsequently alerting the relevant authorities of such cases, especially when there are those in urgent need of financial and institutional help.

Surely, it is immoral, if not sinful, to turn one’s eye away from cases of poverty. Truth be told, morality is not confined only to the question of sex.

After all, it is known that abject poverty could compel one to steal out of desperation in order to survive and feed hungry family members, especially the young ones.

We are also aware of a few cases of single and poverty-stricken mothers who had to resort to prostitution, to care for their young children after being abandoned by their husbands.

To sit and judge others accused of being sinful while being in full view of incidences of poverty, which might have brought about “immoral activities” such as stealing, is more than just being irresponsible. It is outrageously despicable. They have to get off their high horse.

There have also been those who could not survive extreme poverty, to such an extent that they were pushed into their graves early, having not received so much as a helping hand from vigilante groups.

Couples caught committing khalwat being counselled by the Badar Squad at a Muslim cemetery. The raids conducted by the group all these years are considered illegal by the authorities. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 14, 2018.

Take another example: medical emergency. Some of these volunteers would do a world of good if they form a group that provides first aid or medical alerts if and when an emergency that requires urgent medical attention occurs.

With modern communications technology, such as the handphone, this group can link up to hospitals and clinics to enable people, especially those living in areas far from medical facilities, to get help.

Zealousness of the religious kind should be harnessed for better purposes in life. In the long run, members of a vigilante group seeking societal change can serve as a role model for others without having to act in a haughty fashion.

Furthermore, leaving the law in the hands of zealous vigilante groups can give rise to untold misery for others and the larger society.

Nothing could be graver than this. – November 14, 2018.

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Comments

  • This is a joke! Illegal policing activities are conducted and the authorities are doing nothing about it..
    Simple question... ask ALL the government agencies in Kedah... do they or not condone the activities of the Badar squad?
    I particularly interested to know the responses from Jakim, PDRM, State Mufti, and other religious and non religious/authorities?

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • In Malaysia, there are many people who have nothing better to do. One step forward, two steps backward..One step forward..Two steps backward. Wawasan 2020?

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • WTF. When lanun and his cohorts were doing nonscences where were this bastards or badar . Quiet as a church mice!!! Arresting young couples are easy meat .for them as they can intimidate , bully or watch them pee. Sicko to the heart . Something is really wrong with their teaching and faith. They are now turning into Malaysian ISIS and using the graveyard as their Caliphate strong hold. Muslim youth should start questioning this intrusion into their intelligence and understanding of the teaching.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Religion has no place in the public sphere. It cannot be institutionalized. The government must move to prosecute and jail vigilantes to deter any other aspiring mullahs.

    Posted 7 years ago by K Pop · Reply

  • Kidnapping?

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • God need their service..Lol.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply