S'gor Umno to Hassan Ali : Tackle brewery first
Andrew OngPublished: Aug 25, 2009 10:59 AM | Updated: Aug 26, 2009 3:09 AM
Selangor Umno information chief Abdul Shukor Idrus has suggested that the Selangor government should arrest Muslims working at the two breweries operating in the state.
Selangor Umno information chief Abdul Shukor Idrus has suggested that the Selangor government should arrest Muslims working at the two breweries operating in the state.
That was Abdul Shukor's reaction to Selangor exco Hassan Ali's (centre in photo) announcement yesterday that mosque officials will be roped in to arrest Muslims found working in establishments that serve, store or display alcoholic beverages.
"I challenge them to take action on the breweries. Go to the source before it reaches the pubs and hotels," said Abdul Shukor, who is also Kuang state assemblyperson, when contacted today.
Abdul Shukor said currently, the state government is empowered to take action through the Selangor Religious Department (JAIS) and did not require the involvement of mosque officials.
He said that the announcement made by Hassan yesterday was a possible gimmick to distract public attention from his failure to push for a ban of selling alcoholic drinks in Muslim-majority areas.
"I think they want to show they are more Islamic than the last administration. I want to see how far they can implement this policy," said Abdul Shukor.
Yesterday, Hassan announced that mosque officials, the nazir, imam, bilal and siak, would be roped in to arrest Muslims consuming alcohol, or involved in the sale, display or storing of alcoholic drinks.
According to Hassan, the mosque officials are empowered to arrest without a warrant under Section 18 of the Syariah Criminal Procedure (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003.
Is an imam trained to make arrest?
Commenting on this, Abdul Shukor said though it was a good decision, the state government should study carefully Hassan's announcement or even review the decision to iron out possible complications.
He said the state government should take heed of the shortcomings when the Badan Dakwah Amar Makruf Nahi Mungkar (Badar), a voluntary religious enforcement unit, was implemented nationwide a few years ago.
He said Badar had similar powers described by Hassan, but there were cases of misunderstandings, abuse of powers and sometimes violent retaliation from the public.
"I'm not sure if the imam is equipped with the necessary training to perform arrests. Lets just say the imam was to arrest someone who was drinking alcohol and that person is drunk.
"What if that person swings his bottle and injures the imam? I don't want to see this happening. Who will be responsible (for medical expenses and insurance)?" asked Abdul Shukor.
Abdul Shukor said that as it stands, enforcement bodies with the proper training and experience such as JAIS and the respective local governments, can enforce laws thereby not requiring participation from mosque officials.
What about drug abuse?
Meanwhile, the sole non-Muslim opposition member of the Selangor state assembly, Wong Koon Mun (Kuala Kubu Baru) lashed out at Selangor PAS for pushing for further restrictions on alcohol sales.
"They should concentrate more on drug abuse among Muslim youths. Why target only alcohol?" said Wong, adding that drug abuse among Muslim youths were a more serious problem.
He said PAS was only keen on implementing policies to its liking without taking into consideration the feelings of non-Muslims.
He added that of late, statements made by PAS' reps have made it look more "fanatical" and in turn making Barisan Nasional look more liberal.
"If a person doesn't drink, you put alcohol in front of him, it doesn't mean he will consume it. Just like the Hindus and Buddhist don't eat beef, it doesn't mean they won't patron a place that serves beef. They just avoid it," he added.
That was Abdul Shukor's reaction to Selangor exco Hassan Ali's (centre in photo) announcement yesterday that mosque officials will be roped in to arrest Muslims found working in establishments that serve, store or display alcoholic beverages. "I challenge them to take action on the breweries. Go to the source before it reaches the pubs and hotels," said Abdul Shukor, who is also Kuang state assemblyperson, when contacted today.
Abdul Shukor said currently, the state government is empowered to take action through the Selangor Religious Department (JAIS) and did not require the involvement of mosque officials.
He said that the announcement made by Hassan yesterday was a possible gimmick to distract public attention from his failure to push for a ban of selling alcoholic drinks in Muslim-majority areas.
"I think they want to show they are more Islamic than the last administration. I want to see how far they can implement this policy," said Abdul Shukor.
Yesterday, Hassan announced that mosque officials, the nazir, imam, bilal and siak, would be roped in to arrest Muslims consuming alcohol, or involved in the sale, display or storing of alcoholic drinks.
According to Hassan, the mosque officials are empowered to arrest without a warrant under Section 18 of the Syariah Criminal Procedure (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003.
Is an imam trained to make arrest?
Commenting on this, Abdul Shukor said though it was a good decision, the state government should study carefully Hassan's announcement or even review the decision to iron out possible complications.
He said the state government should take heed of the shortcomings when the Badan Dakwah Amar Makruf Nahi Mungkar (Badar), a voluntary religious enforcement unit, was implemented nationwide a few years ago.
He said Badar had similar powers described by Hassan, but there were cases of misunderstandings, abuse of powers and sometimes violent retaliation from the public.
"I'm not sure if the imam is equipped with the necessary training to perform arrests. Lets just say the imam was to arrest someone who was drinking alcohol and that person is drunk.
"What if that person swings his bottle and injures the imam? I don't want to see this happening. Who will be responsible (for medical expenses and insurance)?" asked Abdul Shukor.
Abdul Shukor said that as it stands, enforcement bodies with the proper training and experience such as JAIS and the respective local governments, can enforce laws thereby not requiring participation from mosque officials.
What about drug abuse?
Meanwhile, the sole non-Muslim opposition member of the Selangor state assembly, Wong Koon Mun (Kuala Kubu Baru) lashed out at Selangor PAS for pushing for further restrictions on alcohol sales.
"They should concentrate more on drug abuse among Muslim youths. Why target only alcohol?" said Wong, adding that drug abuse among Muslim youths were a more serious problem.
He said PAS was only keen on implementing policies to its liking without taking into consideration the feelings of non-Muslims.
He added that of late, statements made by PAS' reps have made it look more "fanatical" and in turn making Barisan Nasional look more liberal.
"If a person doesn't drink, you put alcohol in front of him, it doesn't mean he will consume it. Just like the Hindus and Buddhist don't eat beef, it doesn't mean they won't patron a place that serves beef. They just avoid it," he added.
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