Tawau: A Muslim couple in their early 20s, who was found in a lodging room with an excuse that they have not met each other for a year, was among seven couples detained for committing close proximity under 'Operasi Cegah Maksiat' by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) here, on Wednesday.The couple admitted that they have been in a relationship for five years and the 23-year-old man had just been employed and scheduled to report for duty on Thursday.
His 25-year-old girlfriend from Semporna claimed that they hardly meet each other.
Another couple aged 20 and 26 who was found sitting in dark area in Taman Awam Muhibbah was also detained by the enforcement unit of the department.
When they were raided, the man claimed that they were just sitting there without doing anything.
Tawau Jheains Religion Administration Officer Abdul Imam Basirun said all couples comprising 14 individuals aged between 16 and 40 were detained in the three-hour operation for committing close proximity.
He said the couples are being investigated under Section 84 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Enactment for committing the offence.
Abdul Imam said two men and five women have been handed over to the Immigration Department for failing to show any valid identification document.
Meanwhile, he said, two teenagers aged 16 and 17 including a local have been referred to the Welfare Department for further action under the Child Act 2011 and to attend counseling session.
He said the operation involved 35 officers and personnel from Jheains, Tawau Municipal Council, police, Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Immigration Department from 9pm to midnight.
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