Breaking doors in khalwat raids is abuse of power, says Mujahid

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 7 years ago · Published on 8 Oct 2018 5:19PM · 8 Comments

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa says breaking down doors is not part of the SOP when conducting khalwat raids. He is urging authorities and people to be more compassionate. – The Malaysian Insight pic, October 8, 2018.

RELIGIOUS authorities breaking down doors during a khalwat raid are abusing their positions as the action is not part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for cases where a man and woman are suspected of being in close proximity, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

“Breaking doors does not follow the SOP. If there are such cases, it means that they have abused their powers,” he told reporters at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

The minister who is in charge of religious affairs said authorities must first investigate khalwat reports lodged by the public.

“Based on compassionate Islam, you have to have a very clear procedure before you can conduct such a raid. This is what it means.

“Not just get in there, get information and straight away commit to the raid,” said Mujahid.

Only after a thorough investigation, should a warrant be issued for a raid.

He also said the ministry will look into ways to improve the current SOP to ensure every enforcement team has “strong evidence” before action is taken.

“We are looking into improving it so that all these issues on enforcement must have solid evidence and must also have strong grounds, and whether it takes place in the public sphere.”

Mujahid said what is done in private is not the government’s concern, but said if khalwat occurs in a private space which is in a housing area, the neighbours who are aware should first advise the ones committing the act.

“You should give advice first, tell them it’s wrong. After all efforts have been made personally, and if it is still taking place and encroaches into the public sphere, then you can come and talk to us.

“And, we don’t just go and say ‘let’s go (raid)’. There are certain issues we have to check and there are things that we want to improve on,” said Mujahid.

On Saturday, The Star’s online newspaper published an exclusive interview with Mujahid with the headline “No more night khalwat raids or intrusion into Muslims’ private lives, says Mujahid”.

The article caused a stir among Muslim conservatives, religious leaders, Muslim civil society groups and politicians.

Mujahid denied saying there will be no more khalwat raids, and has given the English daily 24 hours to apologise. – October 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • Dear Minister...I RESPECT you...you are upholding Islam ....you are A learned Man...MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS

    Posted 7 years ago by Hantoo Blacklord · Reply

  • Mujahid, please be consistent with your philosophy.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • More & more Malaysians will start respecting the way u undertake your burdensome task...it's not easy....but we Pray for you Sir....GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS YOU ALWAYS

    Posted 7 years ago by Hantoo Blacklord · Reply

  • Pas Pis Pus Taliban lebai especially Hadi 90jutAwang already berkhakwat with scUMNO before GE14. They are committing berzina now.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • I am confused by what you are trying to tell the rakyat what you wanna do.!!!! For God sake be decisive in your committment. You are telling it is wrong and giving impression it is not supported and after the hue and cries from the Islamic Clerics you change your stance and trying to appease them. What bollocks is that. You are fickled in your flip flop decision and it is not helping either way. Have the guts to say no is no and yes is yes!!! God damn It!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Now we can really see why the media hate to cover all the press conferences especially the politician and lawyers. Sickening and pathetic.!!!!

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Mujahid said what is done in private is not the governments concern, but said if khalwat occurs in a private space which is in a housing area, the neighbours who are aware should first advise the ones committing the act. What happens when the neighbours are of different religions? Is it okay for a muslim to tell his non-muslim neighbour he is committing khalwat? Is it a non-muslim's business to snoop in on his muslim neighbour and advise them they have committed a crime? And what if the couple is again of different religions, where does one draw the line?

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • I now feel that it is best that Muslims "troubleshoot" this matter among themselves to promote calm?..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply