SHAH ALAM – Police have arrested the founder of a controversial marriage motivation programme, along with her husband.
This follows public uproar over activities allegedly involving nudity, emotional manipulation and religious-like rituals.
Shah Alam District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim confirmed that the arrests were made on Tuesday and further investigations are ongoing.
“For your information, the founder of the programme and her husband have been arrested.
"Further details will follow after several procedures are carried out.
“We have also taken several actions, including raids and arrests related to this case,” he added.
The arrests come after Sinar reported that police had received a complaint about a marriage motivation programme that allegedly promoted deviant and misleading content.
The event took place in September last year at a convention centre in Shah Alam.
The police report was filed by a 39-year-old local man in February.
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), also launched an investigation to verify the claims.
Jakim Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee stated that proper steps are being taken to gather verified information before taking any action under the law.
The controversy erupted after a social media user alleged that the programme included a private session where two women performed a nude dance in front of the audience.
It was further claimed that participants were given an unidentified beverage that affected their emotions shortly after consumption.
Attendees were also said to have been instructed to participate in a ‘sacred bath’ and ‘rebirth’ ritual, acts which resembled religious practices and sparked concern among the public and religious authorities.