A married man’s attempt to justify his presence at a homestay by claiming he was merely sending a woman there failed after he was caught in a khalwat raid during an early morning operation.
The incident took place around 2am when enforcement officers conducted a check following public complaints about suspicious activity at a homestay. The operation formed part of ongoing efforts to curb moral offences and ensure public order is maintained.
According to a Johor Islamic Religious Department enforcement spokesperson, the pair initially tried to explain their presence by stating that the man was only assisting in sending the woman to the accommodation.
However, further inspection revealed that the man, who is married, was found together with a woman believed to be a divorcee, in circumstances that raised suspicion and led to their detention for further investigation.
Authorities said they had to wait nearly an hour before gaining access to the premises after being forced to cut a gate lock to enter the homestay for inspection.
It was also revealed that the woman, believed to be in her 30s and residing in Pontian, Johor, was not related to the man, strengthening suspicions surrounding the initial explanation given.
Enforcement officers stressed that such operations will continue to be intensified from time to time to ensure compliance with religious regulations and to safeguard community morals.
