Proposed setting up syariah police squad being studied - Ahmad Zahid

The Home Ministry is studying the proposal of setting up a special police squad to stem the spread of Syiah and other deviant teachings in the country.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal, if implemented, would enable the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to place its officers and men at the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as part of the religious enforcement team.

For this, he said, he would discuss the matter with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of religious affairs, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

"There has been a proposal from a non-governmental organization for a syariah police squad be formed to combat deviant teachings. This proposal will be discussed in depth.

"We will also seek the consent of the Conference of Rulers so as not to be misconstrued as interfering in the handling of religious issues. The aspect I am stressing on is maintaining security and public order. Prevention is better than cure," he said in an interview programme on BernamaTV, last night.

Earlier in the programme, Ahmad Zahid said PDRM had a Religious and Counselling Body (Baka) which could cooperate with Jakim to stem the spread of deviant religious teachings, but this would require approval from the Cabinet first.

Ahmad Zahid also touched on the danger of being too fanatical about a leader as this attitude was inappropriate.

On the arrest of 13 followers of the "Tuhan Harun" deviant sect who were also the suspects in the murder of the Pahang Islamic Religious Department enforcement chief last month, he said:

"What we (Home Ministry) can do in this matter is law enforcement to assist Jakim and the state Islamic religious authorities. But we hope that all concerned parties can help restore the Islamic faith of those who have been led astray."