KUALA LUMPUR – A former cabinet minister has been detained for khalwat (close proximity) alongside a woman believed to be an NGO founder by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) yesterday.
The arrest was confirmed by JAIS director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad in a statement regarding the close-proximity offense involving a public figure, which took place in the Petaling district at around 6 pm yesterday.
Mohd Shahzihan noted that the 44-year-old political figure was apprehended in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, before both individuals were brought to the JAIS headquarters in Shah Alam for documentation.
Probed under Syariah Criminal Enactment
He added that both individuals were detained to assist in investigations under Section 29 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995.
“If convicted, offenders can be fined up to RM3,000, jailed for up to two years, or both,” he said in a statement today.
“In light of this, JAIS advises Muslims not to humiliate any party by turning the matter into a subject of speculation, debate, or slander in any manner,” he stressed. – October 16, 2026