PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub has withdrawn from the Parliamentary caucus on human rights after disagreeing with its decision to support the campaign against 'moral policing'.

Met at the Parliament lobby yesterday, the Kubang Kerian MP said he regretted the attitude of those involved in the campaign for submitting a memorandum on the matter to the caucus on March 24.

There are 50 non-governmental organisations and 200 individuals seeking to end moral policing by Islamic religious authorities.

Among the notable personalities who pledged support are Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim, Women and Family Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's daughter Nori Abdullah as well as Marina Mahathir, the daughter of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

'It's too much'

"It's a bit too much. There are certain issues in the religion that have to be respected," Salahuddin told malaysiakini .

He said religious issues should not be compromised, and asserted that these sensitive issues could fan racial sentiments and disrupt harmony.

He believed that it was not a loss on his part to withdraw from the caucus as he would continue to put forward his views on human rights through Parliamentary debates.

"I, as the (PAS) Youth chief, do not want to make enemies with anyone. I hope Pak Lah himself, who is also the Internal Security Minister will look into it carefully so that there is no NGO or political party which raise sensitive issues like religion and its practices.

"All religions, including Islam, has its own freedom. Although the NGOs act on a human rights basis, we must follow the guidelines stated in our religions," he said.

The campaign was sparked off following a raid by the Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) on a popular nightspot in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 20. More than 100 Muslim youths, half of whom women, were detained.

Subsequently, Jawi officers were accused of sexually harassing the detainees by making lewd remarks about the attire and even allegedly prevented one of them from using the toilet.

Hasty decision

Meanwhile, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam), who is the caucus's secretary, said she respected the PAS leader's decision although it was 'a bit hasty'.

Met at the same venue, the DAP leader said she was not surprised by the move as Salahuddin was representing his party's views on the matter.

According to Chong Eng, it would be good for PAS as far as impressions are concerned to have a representative in the caucus.

Instead of withdrawing, she said they could have always 'worked things out'.

She was also uncertain as to whether PAS will have a replacement representative in the caucus.

Earlier, Salahuddin submitted a memorandum to the government urging it to act against the NGOs behind the anti-moral policing campaign as well as against local publications with sexual elements.

The three-page memorandum was received by Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar on behalf of the prime minister. He was also given several copies of magazines.

"The action taken by the 50 NGOs and 200 individuals who criticised moral policing is an act of incitement and provocation," said the PAS leader.