APRIL 13 ― The Malaysian Bar is perturbed by the apparent misuse of enforcement powers, as recently seen in two incidents: the raid by Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department, “JAWI”) at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, and the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Pandan, YB Mohd Rafizi Ramli at the gates of Parliament.
It has been reported that on 3 April 2016, JAWI officers entered a closed-door charity dinner event organised by the transgender community in the hotel ballroom. Accompanied by the press, the JAWI officers allegedly disrupted the event, blocked all the exits, behaved menacingly, and prevented people from leaving the ballroom. They appeared to have been preparing to arrest the attendees. Read more