Over the weekend, the whole of Malaysia came together to celebrate the nation’s 68th National Day and to commemorate the strides it made since independence.
For one unmarried couple in Melaka, their celebration involved more than just fireworks after they were caught allegedly committing ‘khalwat’ (close proximity) at a hotel room, which is an offense under Syariah law.
65yo M’sian man caught in hotel with woman, blames it on fatigue
According to a report by Sinar Harian, a 65-year-old man was caught being inside a hotel room with a 49-year-old woman following an early morning raid by the Melaka State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIM) on Aug 31.
Neither one of them were married; with the man hailing from Segamat, Johor, while the woman runs a food stall in Melaka.
State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs executive committee member, Rahmad Mariman told the Malay daily that the man reportedly travelled to Melaka to visit the woman’s sick mother on Aug 30.
After that, they went to the city centre to watch the fireworks display before checking into the hotel.
“The couple confessed to taking a break in the hotel as they were tired from the Merdeka Eve celebrations and were looking to watch the parade the following day.
“They also begged not to have any action taken against them, saying they would be embarrassed if their adult children knew about it.” he said.
The couple were among the 16 individuals who were detained and charged under Section 53 of the Melaka Syariah Offences Enactment 1991 for cohabiting without a valid marital relationship.
The offence carries a penalty of up to RM3,000, a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
However, the couple were released on bail after giving their statements.
READ ALSO:
