JAWI investigates 100 locals under shariah law after a health club raid for alleged immoral activities, despite police releasing detainees
SEPANG: The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) is still investigating more than 100 local individuals arrested during a raid at a health club in the capital last Friday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar confirmed the investigation is ongoing under the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.
The individuals are being probed under Section 25 for sodomy and Section 47 for attempting to commit an offence under the Act.
Mohd Na’im said JAWI and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) will intensify religious outreach to explain deviant practices.
“This act is unacceptable not only legally, but even more so from a religious standpoint,” he told reporters after closing a Haj and Umrah carnival.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus had earlier stated that 171 locals arrested in the same raid were released by the court.
The court rejected the police application for remand after none of the individuals admitted to being a victim of crime.
They were initially held for investigations under Sections 377 and 372 of the Penal Code for unnatural sexual intercourse and exploitation of prostitution.
A total of 208 people were arrested during the police raid at the Chow Kit health club suspected of hosting homosexual activities.
Police confiscated condoms and other items believed to be used for immoral purposes during the operation. – Bernama
