Badar squad wants to meet Mujahid, police
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VIGILANTE group Badar squad is seeking a meeting with Minister of Religious Affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa and the police so that they can explain its role to uphold religious duties among Muslims.
Founder and chairman of the anti-vice group Azhar Mohamad said the minister’s remarks that the group’s activities in Sg Petani, Kedah, would create havoc are untrue.
He said its intention is only to help the religious authorities fight negative social elements and immoral practice among the Malays and Muslims.
The group achieved notoriety for rounding up unwed Muslims suspected of committing khalwat (close proximity) in Kedah, but has plans to go nationwide after registering with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
However, on Saturday Mujahid warned that vigilante groups taking on the functions of religious bodies will only create havoc.
“The religious department already has policies and enforcement in place, so if there is an overlapping of functions where there are private entities (carrying out the same function), then it will create havoc,” he said.
Azhar told The Malaysian Insight that there would not be any conflict between groups such as his and the religious authorities if they are given proper guidelines.
“This is why we need a dialogue session with them. Mujahid must invite us and others like us for a meeting so that we can be given guidelines and the extent of our authority.
“That is the way to move forward. This issue will only become complicated if we do not meet and talk. I am ready to meet Mujahid.”
Earlier last week, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mazlan Mansor also warned Badar squad to stay within the confines of the law and keep away from vigilante activities.
“We would like to advise the group not to act in any way that is against the law because they are not a legitimate religious enforcement body and do not have any power to conduct religious raids,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Responding to this, Azhar said he was also ready to meet the police so that “they know what we want”.
His group is ready to help as religious authorities do not have enough manpower to check on vice activities for 24 hours, he said.
“The people are daring enough to participate in immoral activities openly. That is why our squad wants to help fight this.
“If there is something wrong with what we do, do provide us with guidelines.”
Previously The Malaysian Insight reported that Badar squad plans to expand its activities nationwide following demand from people everywhere.
“We have members but they still need to be registered. We will hold a ceremony to launch the new squad sometime late in July.
“We will register with the Registrar of Societies again and we are getting legal advice on the matter. We do not want to break any laws,” the 46-year-old from Sg Petani said.
In April, Azhar and six others were fined RM1,000 each after pleading guilty to joining an illegal organisation because Badar squad was not registered with the RoS.
Azhar said his team would be careful this time and obtain legal help to ensure the squad was properly registered. – July 8, 2019.