The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will 'look into' the allegation that scores of patrons held at a nightclub in Kuala Lumpur were sexually harassed and verbally abused by officers from the religious department.

Its chairperson Abu Talib Othman said the commission will investigate the claims despite a report not being lodged on the matter.

"I've read about it but we have not received a complaint at Suhakam. Whether the detention was right or wrong, its up to the authorities," he said but agreed that there needs to be action taken if there was abuse of power.

"If there is abuse and no action taken against abusers, such as suspensions, then such things will continue," he told a press conference at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Herded like animals

In Last Thursday's incident, Federal Territory Department of Religious Affairs (Jawi) officials were accused of subjecting the women to degrading acts such as parading while lewd remarks were hurled at them.

Those detained also complained that they were herded like animals into enforcement trucks after being made to squat in the club. There were not told of their offence at that point.

They were also not allowed to use toilet facilities at the department's headquarters, resulting in a least one woman urinating in her pants. They were only released six to ten hours later.

It is claimed that there was only one 'breathalyser' available for the men, to check for alcohol consumption, which is forbidden in Islam, while the women had their 'crime' assessed based on their attire.

"Most of the time, they (the Jawi officials) just ogled at us ,"a celebrity, who was among those detained, was reported to have said.

She also said she had felt humiliated when the officials commented on her private parts. Many of the women - who made up over half of the detainees - have been reported as feeling humiliated after being verbally abused.

Some of those arrested have since lodged complaints with the government and the attorney-general's chambers.

They have been charged with 'indecent behaviour' under the city's Syariah criminal enactments and if found guilty, face penalties up to RM1,000. In the interim, some have been forced to attend counselling sessions at the religious department.