KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Selangor mosque officers - imam, nazir, bilal and siak - are now empowered to arrest Muslims drinking alcohol in public places, said Selangor executive councillor for religious matters Dr Hassan Ali.

He said they could also arrest Muslims selling and storing alcohol beverages.

The officers were also empowered to arrest Muslims who commit offences deemed disrespectful in the month of Ramadan.

Hassan Ali said that more than 1,500 officers would be briefed on the relevant enactments so that they understood how to enforce the law properly, including gathering enough evidence, before bringing the suspects to Syariah Court.