88 Muslims nabbed for khalwat

By Zuhrin Azam Ahmad, The Star

PETALING JAYA: Eighty-eight Muslims were detained in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur for khalwat (close proximity) during the Valentine’s Day operation.

In Selangor alone, the state religious department rounded up 80 people for committing khalwat in an operation called Ops Valentine which began on Sunday night and ended early yesterday.

Department public relations officer Nurhamizah Othman said the operation, which involved officers from the local authorities and the National Anti-Drug Agency, was led by the department’s enforcement chief assistant director Mohd Rais Rashid.

Another 61 people were also hauled up during the nine-hour operation for indecent behaviour.

Nurhamizah said the operation, which began at 8pm, involved two phases – visits at recreational lakes and public parks in Selangor, and raids on budget hotels.

The Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department also conducted a similar operation in Kuala Lumpur, in which officers visited popular dating spots including Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and KLCC Park. They also raided hotels in Jalan Pudu and Jalan Raja Laut.

A department spokesman said eight couples, aged between 20 and 50, were nabbed for khalwat.