BEAUFORT: A total of 35 individuals were hauled up and six couples were arrested for allegedly committing close proximity in a hotel here during New Year Day celebrations.
Beaufort Police Chief DSP Yusoff Zaki Yaacob said all were nabbed during an integrated operation “Op Noda” involving police and Sabah Islamic Religious Department (Jheains).
He said the aim of the joint operation is to address immoral activities especially among the young.
“All are to be investigated under the close proximity offences under Section 84 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 3/1995.
“Initial investigation revealed the couples do not have ‘muhrim’ ties that would allow them to be together because it was found that they were deliberately staying in close proximity in the hotel rooms.
“Those being arrested have been handed over to Jheains for further action,” Yusoff said.
On another case, Yusoff Zaki said a man was arrested here for not possessing any valid identification document in the township on the same day.
He is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
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