EYEBROWS have been raised at a Syariah Court in Kuantan meting out a first-ever caning sentence to a local Muslim woman for drinking beer. This isn't the first time decisions made by local religious authorities, in keeping those of the Muslim faith morally in line, have rebounded negatively against them.

Past cases of moral policing gone wrong, especially by Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais), include:

June 13, 1997: Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) publicly handcuffed three Malay Muslim beauty pageant participants before taking them away for questioning.

Many questioned the officers' high-handed manner when detaining the three and their lack of discretion. The participants were detained for "going against a fatwa forbidding Muslims from taking part in beauty pageants and indecent acts".

The finalists were required to wear swimsuits but all were told to wear pareos or short sarongs to cover their thighs.

June 10, 2000: A total of 31 Muslims were detained at three outlets serving liquor, 23 were women. They were picked up by Jais officers from the Captain's Cabin at The Ship; China Town Nite Club in Damansara Utama, and the L&C Pub and Cafe in Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya.

The Muslim patrons were alleged to have insulted or caused insult to the Islamic religion, consumed alcohol, committed close proximity, impersonated women  and committed ndecent or improper behaviour in a public place.

Following the incident, the then Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Abu Hassan Omar said the arrests were a mistake and that under the State's Syariah enactment, it was not an offence for Muslims to be in a place that
manufactures hard liquor, sells, offers for sale, exhibits or keeps liquor.

Abu Hassan said the Jais officers failed to understand Section 10 of the Selangor Syariah Crime Enactment 1995 which states that Muslims caught in a premises where alcohol is served can be fined up to RM5,000 or
three years' jail or both.

All charges against the 31 individuals were  dropped. The State government then also directed Jais to come out with detailed guidelines for its enforcement officers to strictly adhere to when carrying out enforcement operations.

Abu Hassan also directed that all enforcement officers undergo intensive training, especially on Syariah law, its procedures and implementation.

June 10, 2000: Azlina Abbas, a then 29-year-old vocalist with popular local band Helmi and The Gimmick, was among 15 Muslims detained by Jais enforcement officers in a midnight raid at The Ship, Damansara Utama. Azlina was detained by Jais for "insulting Islam by being in premises where alcohol is served".

Fellow performer, Helmi Harun, who was also detained, had the charge against him dropped and he was ordered to undergo three days of religious counselling. Charges against Azlina were later dropped.