If the government really wants to weed out 'bad hats' in the police force, it should follow the example set by northern neighbour Thailand in its war on drugs.

Mahfuz Omar, who heads the Institute for Community Mobilisation and Development, said the police force would be fighting a losing battle if the "traitors" within continue to act as informants in tipping off entertainment outlet operators targeted for raids.

He was commenting on a disclosure last Thursday by Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar that 30 police officers have been identified as being "spies".

Mahfuz, who is also a PAS central committee member, said the government should act immediately on this information.

"The home ministry should create a secret task force to identify police officers who are protecting drug dealers, unlicensed money lenders and other criminal elements," Mahfuz said when contacted yesterday.

"We should follow the example of Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whose internal ministry identified police officers who protected drug dealers."

Within three months of Thailand launching its war on drugs from Feb 1 last year, 440 officers and politicians were reported to have been dismissed for links to drug trafficking.

Mahfuz also said a memorandum would be submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar on this issue.

Religious education

The memorandum would also reflect the views of non-governmental organisation Teras and Islamic group Isra.

Teras president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, when contacted, said that other proposals would be expanded in the memorandum. These include a suggestion for "appropriate religious education" to be assimilated into police training.

In addition, the home ministry would be asked to consider setting up a religious corps to ensure effective and consistent "character development".