DESPITE having been subjected to court action, threats and much negative press, Badar Squad is still at it.

It continues to catch unwed Muslim couples in the act of “khalwat” (close proximity) in Sungei Petani, Kedah.

The self-declared “anti-vice” group had previously made the news with its unauthorised raids on hotels and parks to nab errant Muslim couples who are later taken to a cemetery for “counselling”.

The group leader, Azhaar Mohamad said the group would continue its activities because the members could not bear to see Malays continue to sin.

He said he would not disband the vigilante group even though they faced many restrictions.

“My stance was the same even when I was remanded. My work is to continue to save the nation.

“I do not mind being detained by the police, it is just a test of my commitment,” he told The Malaysian Insight at the squad headquarters in Sungai Petani.

Earlier this year, the 46-year-old leader and squad members were arrested and remanded for investigations under the Official Secrets Act and the Societies Act.

He and six others were fined RM1,000 each after they pleaded guilty to the charge of participating in illegal organisations.

Azhar said he took precautionary safety measures because he was aware of the risks involved.

“There were people who followed me and took pictures of my house.

“Some hotel owners had chided me. But while I have no intention of disrupting their businesses, I cannot let unmarried Muslim couples stay in hotels.

“I’m the one who takes (the risk) and has to deal with it (all criticism),” he added.

After he was warned off by police, he began using other methods to avoid breaking the law.

“We used to focus on budget hotels but now we focus more on a few homestays around Sungai Petani.

“There are several terrace houses in the vicinity that are occupied. When we pass by, we can see many motorcycles outside.

“We call the worker at the counter and order him to get the teenagers out of their rooms,” he said.

Azhar said if the couples were under 18, he would call their parents to pick them up. He would send those who were 18 and above home.

He would also inform the parents about their child’s activities.

“Some of the homestay operators refused to cooperate so I warned them to contact the authorities if the teens did not leave.

“After that they would ask the unmarried teens to leave,” he added,

He said the low homestay rates of about RM100 a night made them the ideal choice for teenagers.

He said group also conducted their raids on Sungai Petani’s Jubilee Park, which he said was known to have prostitutes.

Azhar said that his intention was not to interfere with the work of the Kedah Islamic Religious Department, but to help them.

He has repeatedly expressed his willingness to assist the government agency but there has been no takers.

“I will send a letter to the religious authorities on December 10 stating that we are ready to help them carry out operations at hotels on New Year’s Eve.

“I will see if they are willing or not, as the police have told me that I can continue operations if I have the cooperation of the authorities, ” Azhar added.

Kuala Muda district police chief Assistant Commissioner Adzli Abu Shah confirmed he had given Azhaar a second chance.

“I met with him and told him that it is all right to stop couples in public areas.

“But if he starts entering hotels then I would have to bring him in.

“If it’s out in the open, I say… go ahead, ” Adzli told The Malaysian Insight. – December 2, 2019.