Instead of setting up the special police squad of Syariah police, the men in blue should be allowed to concentrate on their main job - solving crimes.

Former Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan who said this in a phone interview with Astro AWANI, said it was also not necessary to have police officers stationed in the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as ‘Syariah police’.

“They have their own enforcement to do the job, the police should concentrate on their main jobs,” he said.

“These government agencies can apply for auxiliary police to assist in enforcing them, there is no need to have police there as they will need additional training," he said.

Musa said if the Syariah police squad is set up, then policemen would need additional training to be better versed in Syariah law.

“They need to know Syariah law, how else will they be able to enforce it?” Musa said.

Last Saturday, it was reported that a new police unit will be set up and be based in Jakim to help enforce Islamic laws on criminal offences.

This sparked a wide spread debate in the country among the public including the legal community, where questions were raised on the need for such a unit and how it will affect the peace and stability of the country.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also opposed the idea, adding that it will cause more confusion among the people including tourists as different states in Malaysia practice different Islamic laws.

IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar recently announced that there will not be a special Syariah unit but added that police will however be seconded to Jakim and state religious departments nationwide to assist in enforcement.

“Instead of assisting the departments on an ad hoc basis, we are planning to station officers there permanently,” he was quoted as saying in The Star Online on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the police will still provide assistance when requested by the departments, he added.