PAS Youth today submitted a memorandum to the Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) urging it to step up the crackdown against errant Muslims.

It called on Jawi to extend its dragnet to the nightspots in Bangsar, Chow Kit, Damansara and not restrict itself to those in the Bukit Bintang area alone.

"Jawi shouldn't just conduct occasional raids on nightspots, but also (act) to curb the moral issues concerning Muslims youths," said PAS Youth deputy head Idris Ahmad, who handed the memorandum to Jawi director Ramle Endut at the department's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The religious department drew flak over a raid on a nightspot in the city on Jan 20, where its officers were accused of humiliating the scores of Muslim women detained by passing lewd remarks about their attire and photographing them.

They had also allegedly denied one woman permission to use the washroom, forcing her to relieve herself in her pants.

'Stand your ground'

A storm of protest followed, with many quarters questioning the need for 'moral policing'. Last week, it was reported that even the cabinet had decided to do away with such practices.

However, PAS came to the department's defence. Yesterday, the Federal Territory PAS Youth commended the Jawi officers for executing their duty with 'sincerity and utmost dedication'.

Meanwhile, Idris called on the religious department to raid prostitution dens in the city as well, adding that such actions can help curb the social ills plaguing Muslim Youths.

Voicing support for Jawi's actions, the PAS Youth leader said: "Even though there could be protests from other parties, Jawi should keep to their stand. They should not budge."

Idris also asked why the department's actions were put under microscope while the fact that Muslim youths patronised nighspots on the eve of Hari Raya Haji did not raise eyebrows.