MMEA DENIES CLAIM OF RAID AT MASJID RUSILA, MARANG

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has strongly denied allegations by Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan that its elite team carried out a raid at Masjid Rusila, Marang, on Sept 19.

MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah stressed that the accusation was not only baseless but also had the potential to tarnish the image of the security forces and demoralise the country’s elite team operators.

“The MMEA has never and will never use any house of worship as a location for raids or operations. The training conducted at the time was merely part of our special team’s tactical training syllabus, carried out under the supervision of senior instructors and in strict compliance with the agency’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),” he said in a statement today.

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Mohd Rosli said the mosque only served as a place for the trainees to rest and perform ‘iktikaf’ (spiritual retreat) after the Asar prayers before receiving their next assignment, adding that the mosque management had been informed in advance of their presence and that no disruption occurred to the congregation or religious activities.

He said there were no elements of force or inappropriate actions as alleged, and that the trainees were merely performing their prayers in the mosque.

He said religious elements were instilled as a foundation for the trainees to strengthen their moral character and integrity as enforcement officers and special operations personnel.

“The Special Task and Rescue (STAR) Team training is designed to produce maritime officers who are not only skilled and courageous but also possess strong moral values and are willing to sacrifice for religion, race and country. The allegation is a malicious slander against the MMEA,” he said.

Mohd Rosli said the police report issue that arose had been amicably resolved after the mosque’s management received further clarification and apologised for the misunderstanding.

Earlier, Takiyuddin had raised concern in the Dewan Rakyat over the alleged training exercise by the MMEA at the mosque, claiming that it had caused fear and unease among the congregation.

-- BERNAMA