"WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT".

In the October 24th editorial - the NST came out strongly against the continual abuse of RELA’s power by its members. It then called for more accountability and discipline within this voluntary organisation and also demanded for a “more transparent accounting of their indiscretions and transgressions”. The Home Affairs Minster chimed in by declaring, “if any RELA member oversteps his power, I’ll will take care of it”. The Warong kopi believes he will.
On the 12th October in Langkawi - Kedah, Six Malaysian Talibans stormed a condominium where a foreign married couple was staying. Even though these Islamists would have noticed that the foreigners were non-Muslims and thus not subjected to Islamic laws they push forward in their demand to see their marriage certificate and passports.
16 days have since passed by. The government of the day and its newspapers have remained muted in its condemnation over this unlawful raid on our guest. These Muslim radicals have shown their power and the most powerful politician in the state, the Mentri Besar together with his religious sidekick the chairmen of the State Religious and Humanity Development sidestepped the issue by declaring themselves to be clueless.
Even as this “religious fog of fear” descends on both moderate Muslims and non-Muslims the UMNO run government must show it’s moral leadership and authority by publicly denouncing and acting against these Islamists when they overstep their ambition. It is time for the government of the day to declare, “We will take care of it”.

Couple in khalwat raid may drop second home plan

On Oct 12, Barnhart, 62, and his wife Carole, 61, were in their rented condominium in Kuah when enforcement officers continuously knocked on their door at 2am, accusing them of committing khalwat (close proximity).
He said the officers demanded to see his marriage certificate, although he had told them that they were Christians and should not be subjected to Islamic law.
Banhart said the officers were rude and insisted on “seeing the woman” when he opened the door....
State Religious and Humanity Development Committee chairman Professor Datuk Wira Dr Othman Ishak said “I was not aware of this case. I will ask the Religious Department head. We will get feedback from the vice-prevention squad in Langkawi before making comments,”
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said he would check with the state Religious Department to find out what really happened.“I was not informed about this case. I will find out what really happened before making any comment,” he said.

Rela members who abuse power warned.

Action will be taken against Rela members who abuse the power given to them to help arrest illegals, said Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
“If there are real complaints, I’ll make sure the Rela members responsible pay for it,” he warned.
Radzi was commenting on a recent protest by residents in Cheras that some Rela members had misused their power when making arrests.
Asked if they could enter without a search warrant, Radzi said: “They have the power to do it. They are empowered by the law.
“But if any Rela member oversteps his power, I’ll take care.”

Editorial: Knocking down doors - NST
24 Oct 2006

IN defending the actions of Rela members who broke down doors during an early morning raid on illegal immigrants in Cheras, the People’s Volunteer Corps spokesman contended that entry was forced only when "knocks on the doors went unanswered or the occupants refused to open them", and asserted their right to enter and search premises without a warrant.
Judging by the litany of complaints in the media and those filed by non-governmental organisations about the strong-arm tactics used against citizens, immigrants and refugees alike, there seems scant respect for human rights in the volunteer corps.
While internal complaints mechanisms and in-house inquiries are useful, they are not always effective because the probes are not as thorough or as impartial as they should be. It would be difficult to make Rela more accountable and disciplined without a more transparent accounting of their indiscretions and transgressions.