Once again, the social scene in Malaysia has become a laughing stock when overzealous officers of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jawi) conducted what they called a raid recently. A newspaper in a neighbouring country wasted no time in splashing it on their pages .

This would not have done much good in attracting potential tourists from Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, especially with an Asean tourism programme going on. Instead of moving ahead in this increasingly globalised world of technological advancement, we seem to be regressing to the Middle Ages and with Talibanistic tendencies to boot. Even the Ottoman rulers were more liberal.

To make matters worse, the conduct of these so-called custodians of religion was most unbecoming. Instead of acting in a paternal manner and giving good advice, their behaviour was perverse, lustful and lewd.

It appeared that they were the ones having difficulty in containing their desires. There is also the question of whether these Jawi officers possess the power to detain and arrest people. As wisely pointed out by a senior cabinet minister, issues of morality are best handled by parents .

These young people and their families might now turn the tables and consider suing Jawi for having over-stepped their authority and causing unnecessary embarrassment, not to mention sexual harassment and mental trauma; a girl even had to relieve herself in her pants.

This shameful incident affects all Malaysians regardless of religion, as the image of the country is at stake. We don't want to face snide remarks and be the butt of jokes of foreigners.

The government should take disciplinary action against the officers involved as they have behaved in a manner not befitting civil servants. Jawi should also apologise to the youths and their families for the disgraceful stunts of their staff.

The writer is the vice-president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.