The government will not abolish the provisions in civil and Syariah laws which allows the state to police public morality, Parliament was told today.

"The government does not agree with certain quarters who requested for the (provisions in the civil and Syariah) laws to be abolished," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Abdullah Md Zin said.

Replying to a supplementary question from Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai), the minister explained that while the government acknowledged the views and concerns received, abolishing the provisions on moral policing would only worsen the situation as it could "spiral out of control".

Badruddin has asked whether the government would heed the request of some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to abolish the civil and Syariah laws in relation to moral matters.

He highlighted that the NGOs had wanted the laws repealed based on human rights consideration.

Not true

Replying to another question from Mohd Hayati Othman (PAS-Pendang) who asked why the charges against Zouk nightclub patrons were withdrawn, Abdullah explained that no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence against the patrons.

"It is not true that the charges were withdrawn," he said.

One hundred Muslims, including women, were detained when Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) officers conducted a controversial raid at the Zouk club in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 20.

They later alleged that the Jawi officers had humilated and sexually harassed the women.

The minister also clarified that criticisms were raised against the technical aspect and procedures of the raid and not against Syariah laws per se.

Outcry over the wide powers enjoyed by Islamic religious authorities in policing public morality was sparked by the raid in Zouk.