Malaysia’s morality police target New Year’s revellers
KUALA LUMPUR – Fifty-two unmarried couples could face charges of sexual misconduct and jail terms after being caught in hotel rooms by Malaysia’s Islamic morality police.
The BBC reported that scores of officers conducted raids on budget hotels on New Year’s Day in the western state of Selangor.
Those detained in the early hours of New Year’s Day were mainly students and young factory workers.
Under Malaysia’s Islamic Sharia Law, couples who are not married to each other should not be in a secluded area or confined space, which could give rise to suspicion that they were engaged in immoral acts.
A spokesman for the Selangor State Islamic Department said they chose New Year’s Day for the raids because many people are known to commit this offence when celebrating a major holiday.
If convicted, the couples could get a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine.
Sharia laws in Malaysia apply only to Malay Muslims, who make up over half the population.
Ian Jarrett
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