JAIS ordered to explain wrongful khalwat arrest

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had ordered the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to explain the arrest of four individuals for allegedly committing khalwat.

Khalwat is when unmarried couple is found in a close proximity and is suspected of engaging in immoral activities.

Speaking at a press conference after launching the Private Water Meter Migration Convention on Saturday, Abdul Khalid called on JAIS to carry out its duties according to proper procedure.

“We hope JAIS will improve as JAIS did not follow procedures for a few of its actions. The arrest is very inconvenient,” he was quoted in SelangorKini.

He said the state government was powerless when JAIS takes action against the Muslims in the state as the religious body only needs to inform the state when it takes action against a non-Muslim.

JAIS was accused of wrongful arrest when it arrested Hanisha Abdul Rahman, 29, on June 22 with a driver, Muhammad Mukamil Nordin and two of her employees while they were busy packing up to move house.

Hanisha who owned a beauty boutique said, the incident took place when Muhammad Mukamil was outside of the house while the woman and two employees who are also her housemates, were in the house at Salak Tinggi, Selangor.

The three women and Muhammad Mukamil want JAIS to drop the charges or face legal action.