Eight couples detained in Valentine's Day ops in Malacca

Two government employees were among eight couples detained in a Valentine's Day operation by the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) at four hotels in Melaka Tengah here today. JAIM Enforcement Division assistant director Zurul Iman Zakaria said one of them, a soldier, aged 36, was detained on suspicion of committing khalwat (close proximity) with a 23-year-old college student in a hotel room in Malim Jaya here about 12.15am. The other, a 30-year-old Public Works Department employee, was detained for khalwat with a woman, aged 30, in a hotel room in Cheng here about 12.50am, he added. He said the two couples, as well as six other couples, aged between 20 and 37, were then taken to the JAIM office for further investigation. In a related development, Zurul Iman said JAIM would lodge a report with the Melaka Historical City Council for action to be taken against a hotel in Peringgit for allegedly providing condoms to its guests. "Action should be taken because the act is seen like encouraging vice activities in the state," he added.