KOTA KINABALU: ‘Magic tissues’, condoms and lubricants were among items seized following the arrest of six people allegedly involved in close proximity (khalwat) on the eve of National Day in Lahad Datu.
Jheains Lahad Datu religious officer Ustaz Mardi Ariffin said the operation conducted on 10 hotels involving 60 rooms saw three unmarried couples, including a married man and a widow, nabbed.
He said the raid, which started from 9pm, was conducted by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains), police and immigration officials.
“Three couples without legal ties, including a married man and a widow, were arrested,” he said, adding that condoms, magic tissue and lubricants were seized from these raids.
In warning unmarried Muslims from committing such crimes, Mardi said all arrested suspects were brought to the Lahad Datu police station for investigations.
They will be probed under Section 84 (close proximity) of the Syariah Offences Enactment, he said.
If found guilty, offenders could be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed for up to a year, or both.
For women offenders, they could also be placed in welfare homes for up to three years.