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BATU PAHAT – A married man pleaded with enforcement officers from the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) to release him after he was caught for allegedly committing khalwat (close proximity) with a young widow at a hotel here.
The man, in his 30s, made the appeal as he feared his actions would be discovered by his wife and children who were still in school.
In a statement, JAINJ said the man was caught with the woman, a widow in her 20s, during a routine spot-check operation at hotel rooms across Johor at about 11.40pm recently.
During the inspection at a hotel room, enforcement officers knocked on the door before it was opened about five minutes later by a man wearing only a T-shirt and underwear.
"The man attempted to close the door again after realising the presence of enforcement officers. However, the quick action of the officers prevented the door from being locked before the inspection continued.
"The officers then entered the room after showing their authority cards and introducing themselves. The room was dark at the time and an initial inspection did not find any other individuals," the statement said.
JAINJ said further inspection found women's clothing, including women's undergarments, placed on a chair, while the bathroom door inside the room was found closed.
"The officers knocked on the bathroom door and it was opened about three minutes later, but the individual inside did not immediately come out.
"A female enforcement officer then entered the bathroom and found a woman wearing only underwear without any other clothing," it said.
JAINJ said the woman was then instructed to put on proper clothing before being taken out to assist with investigations.
Investigations found that both individuals were not legally married to each other. The man was married, while the woman was a widow.
According to JAINJ, both individuals worked in Batu Pahat and were believed to have known each other for more than a year.
"The couple arrived at the hotel using two separate vehicles at about 10.30pm, and the hotel room payment was made by the man.
"The woman initially claimed that she was only using the bathroom, but after further questioning, she admitted to being inside the room with a man who was not her husband," it said.
JAINJ said both individuals were detained for allegedly committing a close proximity offence under Section 27 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment.
"The case will be referred for further action and the couple will be charged at the Syariah Court," it said.
Meanwhile, JAINJ said inspection and enforcement operations at hotels throughout Johor would continue from time to time.
"Members of the public with information regarding Syariah offences may submit reports through the JAINJ 24-hour complaint line at 07-2076429 to assist enforcement efforts," it said in a statement.
