JOHOR BAHRU - A couple preparing to get married were detained by Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) enforcement officers after allegedly committing khalwat (close proximity) at a hotel in Senai, with both claiming they feared oversleeping and arriving late for a marriage course the next day.
The couple, who work in Kulai, were detained during a vice prevention operation conducted at about 1am on Wednesday.
According to JAINJ, enforcement officers carried out periodic and random inspections at the hotel before knocking on the door of one of the rooms.
“The door was opened about five minutes later by a man who was only wearing a towel and was shirtless before enforcement officers introduced themselves for further inspection,” the department said in a statement.
During the inspection, officers found a woman lying under a blanket on the bed inside the darkened room.
Female enforcement officers later discovered that the woman was unclothed before instructing her to put on proper attire in the bathroom.
Authorities also found the bed in a messy state along with another wet towel inside the room.
Investigations later confirmed that the pair were not married, although they admitted they were scheduled to attend a marriage course in Larkin the following day.
JAINJ added checks showed the couple had officially registered for the course and were planning to marry at the end of the year.
“The inspection also found a baju Melayu and baju kurung believed to be intended for the marriage course,” it said.
It is understood that both individuals lived about 10 kilometres away from the hotel, while the course venue in Larkin was only about 20 kilometres from the location.
When questioned about their decision to stay at the hotel, the couple claimed they feared waking up late and arriving late for the programme.
The pair, aged in their 20s and 30s, are currently being investigated under Section 27 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment for suspected khalwat.