What seemed as an act of consideration by a man for his partner unfortunately led to both of them getting arrested by religious authorities for allegedly committing ‘khalwat’ (close proximity).
Under Syariah law in Malaysia, individuals of the opposite gender, unless they are family members or a married couple, aren’t allowed to be alone with each other in private as it could lead to immoral activities.
‘She’s afraid to be alone’
NST reported that the raid was carried out by Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) enforcement officers at 2.15am at a woman’s house in Ulu Tiram yesterday (Aug 27).
Following an investigation, it was revealed that the woman had invited her boyfriend over as her parents had left for their hometown to attend to a family matter.
The woman told JAINJ officers that she usually had a female friend to accompany her, but that friend couldn’t come over on that night. She also claimed that she was afraid to be alone as her housing area often had foreigners lurking nearby.
As for her boyfriend, he defended himself by saying he merely wanted to accompany his girlfriend as “she was afraid to be alone.”
However, their reasons were dismissed by JAINJ, who said it was untenable in modern times.
“The crux of the matter is that the couple are neither husband and wife nor ‘mahram’. The offence is clear and can be proven,’ it said in a statement.
In Islam, ‘mahram’ refers to a close blood relative, an in-law through marriage, or a foster relation – whom one is permanently forbidden to marry and someone whom one is allowed to be alone with in private.
The couple is expected to be charged at the Johor Bahru Syariah Court, where they face a fine of up to RM3,000, a two-year jail term, or both upon conviction under Section 27 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997.
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