PAS Youth, one of the staunchest defenders of the controversial Jawi raid, today accused the government of shielding the children of VIPs as exemplified in the cabinet's directive to the religious department to withdraw its charges against the 100 Muslims detained at a popular nightspot in the city.

Speaking to reporters after holding a brief demonstration on the issue at the Kampung Baru mosque in Kuala Lumpur, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said religious authorities should be allowed to carry out their duties without interference.

"Having the charges retracted is not right. Jawi ( the Federal Territory Department of Religious Affairs) acted based on a report lodged. They were enforcing laws (Syariah offences) enacted in Parliament by the government. This is embarrassing," he added.

Salahuddin also wondered why similar raids on other entertainment outlets did not garner the same attention and 'special treatment' which the Jan 20 raid on the Zouk discotheque had.

"I suspect that it is because high-profile personalities and children of VIPs (very important persons) were detained," he said after the 10-minute protest which started at 2.30pm and saw the participation of about 100 people under the watchful eyes of several police personnel.

He named Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Rais Yatim as influencing the decision.

Both Shahrizat and Rais had condemned the methods in which Jawi carried out the raid and the subsequent alleged rights abuses while the detainees were in the department's holding cell.

Alcohol consumption

Among the 100 patrons rounded up during the early morning raid, local celebrity Jeslina Hashim was singled out during the protest today with placards bearing her name carried by the demonstrators.

Jeslina had, with a majority of the detained youngsters, complained of Jawi officials abusing their power and sexually harassing the female detainees. She had alleged that she was subjected to lewd remarks about her private parts.

The Muslim patrons were detained for allegedly participating in Zouk's 'alcohol fest'. Muslims are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.

One other female detainee alleged that the Jawi officers did not allow her to use the toilet despite her pleas to do so, which resulted in her relieving herself in her pants.

"That was the only wrong that the Jawi officers committed when not allowing her to use the toilet," said Salahuddin, asking if that amounted to having the charges dropped against all the rest.

However, when pressed further, he said that PAS does not condone sexual harassment and abuse of power.

"Why is it an issue only now, when the police have for a long time abused and sexually harassed activists and demonstrators?" he added.

'Sex fest'

Salahuddin categorised this particular incident as serious because it was alleged that the disco's Muslim patrons engaged in sexual activities while in the disco and that Jawi was also informed of a 'sex fest' taking place in the premises.

He also claimed that the 'towkay' (proprietor) had lodged a police report on the lewd behaviour of the patrons, but this was denied by the nightspot's management.

Contacted later, one of Zouk's executives described the PAS leader's allegations as 'absolutely ridiculous'.

The executive, who declined to be named, strongly rebuked claims that patrons were allowed to have sex in the premises or that the club organised 'sex fests'.

"We would really like to know where he has gotten this information from. He really needs to back his accusations up".