KUNAK: Six men aged between 35 and 50 were arrested during a special enforcement operation, code-named “Section 92 Enforcement Operation”, by the Kunak branch of the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) in the district on Wednesday.
The operation, which took place from 10am to noon, was carried out to enforce legal provisions relating to offences involving dressing or presenting oneself as a member of the opposite sex in public.
“All six men were detained on suspicion of committing offences by dressing like women,“They were subsequently taken to the Kunak District Jheains Office for inspection and documentation before further action was taken,” the department said in a statement.
The follow-up action included counselling sessions and religious advice for the individuals involved.
Jheains said the operation was part of its enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Syariah criminal law currently in force.
The department also reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out its enforcement responsibilities to safeguard public well-being and harmony within the Muslim community.
Under Section 92 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Sabah) 1995, a man who wears women’s clothing or behaves like a woman, or vice versa, in any public place commits an offence.
Upon conviction, offenders may be fined up to RM1,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.
