Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Abdullah Md Zin said today that there is no provision in the Syariah enactment enforced in the states which penalises Muslims for visiting entertainment centres.

He told the Senate this was because the Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) power to act against Muslims who patronised the premises was restricted.

"The main problem faced by Jakim in enforcing (the law on) the offence rested on the power to codify and enforce the Syariah law which comes under the jurisdiction of the states," he said in a Bernama report.

Monitor enforcement

He was replying to Senator Sharifah Azizah Syed Zin who asked Jakim to spell out its power in enforcing Islamic laws against Muslims who visited entertainment outlets.

In reply to Senator Ismail Kassim, Dr Abdullah said Jakim was monitoring the enforcement of the enactment in the states and Federal Territories.

He said besides enforcing the law, Jakim preferred to tackle the problem by instilling self-awareness among Muslims on Islamic teachings.

"We know there are states which strictly enforced the enactment, (but) if they are not followed up with education on Islamic teachings, it won't be effective.