.jpg)
By Mihar Dias January 2025
When writer Mior Azhar and his wife were jolted awake at 1 a.m. in an Alor Setar hotel by religious officers demanding proof of their marriage, it reinforced why tourists bypass Kedah for Hatyai. https://focusmalaysia.my/veteran-journo-vents-anger-at-kedah-religious-authorities-for-midnight-raid-of-him-his-wife-of-32-years/#google_vignette
In Southern Thailand, privacy is respected—no midnight intrusions, no fear of humiliation. The contrast is telling: while Kedah polices morality, Hatyai welcomes visitors without judgment.
The Obsession with Policing Morality
Kedah’s religious authorities claim to uphold Islamic values by enforcing khalwat laws through intrusive raids. https://focusmalaysia.my/veteran-journo-vents-anger-at-kedah-religious-authorities-for-midnight-raid-of-him-his-wife-of-32-years/#google_vignette
Yet, their actions often lead to public shaming, emotional distress, and even health risks. Islam emphasises compassion and dignity—virtues absent in these late-night interrogations.
Instead, morality policing has morphed into a performance of piety, achieving little beyond tarnishing Malaysia’s reputation.
A Hospitality Industry at Odds with Itself
Tourism thrives on comfort and trust. When hotels become complicit in these raids, they betray their guests. Instead of ensuring security and privacy, they enable an environment where visitors—locals and foreigners alike—must worry about their bedroom doors being kicked open. Meanwhile, across the border, Hatyai’s hands-off approach fosters a sense of safety and respect, drawing Malaysians in droves.
A State with Misplaced Priorities
Kedah struggles with poverty, unemployment, and underfunded public services, yet significant resources are poured into policing private lives. This fixation on moral surveillance diverts attention from real governance failures, leaving critical issues unresolved. At what point does the state realise that economic progress and social well-being matter more than controlling personal behaviour?
The Urgent Need for Reform
The enforcement of khalwat laws is outdated and ineffective. Midnight raids based on flimsy suspicions are a gross overreach. Digital marriage verification could prevent unnecessary harassment, but more importantly, authorities must rethink their approach entirely. Religious values are best upheld through education and guidance, not coercion and fear.
The Road Ahead
If Kedah refuses to evolve, its reputation will continue to suffer. Mior Azhar’s ordeal is just one of many, each contributing to a growing perception that Kedah is inhospitable. The choice is clear: either embrace a more inclusive, respectful approach or continue alienating visitors.
Meanwhile, Hatyai will keep thriving—thanks, in no small part, to Kedah’s own missteps.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.