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Seven men in Malaysia were given warnings after the shorts they were wearing were deemed too short.
Public complaint launched joint operation
Malaysian news outlet Sinar Harian reported that the men were discovered in the state of Kelantan during a joint operation, Ops Bersepadu, on Mar. 17, 2023.
Image from Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah/Facebook.
Image from Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah/Facebook.
The operation was conducted by the Tanah Merah District Council, Tanah Merah District Health Office, and the National Anti-Drugs Agency.
The authorities decided to investigate after a member of the public complained about a supposed shisha business at a food and beverage establishment near Gertak Chaber.
Shorts were above the knees
There, they saw the seven men, whose ages ranged from teenagers to the 20s, wearing shorts that were above knee-length.
Sinar Harian wrote that the shorts reached somewhere around the men's thighs, but did not specify the exact lengths.
These men subsequently received warning notices from the Department of Islamic Welfare Kelantan (JAHEAIK) for exposing their aurat, or private parts, in a public place, according to Tanah Merah District Council's Facebook post.
Fined RM3,400
The authorities also seized six shisha units from the premises.
Image from Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah/Facebook.
The men were issued a total of 16 fines – 11 for offences under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations and five for violating Food Hygiene Regulations – which amounted to RM3,400, or S$1,010.
Tanah Merah District Council said they will continue to surveil the area to prevent similar shisha activities from arising.
Not the first time
This is not the first time that an individual in Malaysia has gotten into trouble with local authorities due to their attire.
However, the incidents have mostly involved women thus far, where they have been stopped from entering official government premises.
Recently, a woman was barred from entering a hospital in Malaysia due to a supposed "misunderstanding" about the dress code.
In a video related to the incident that was uploaded on Twitter, the woman was allegedly stopped by a security guard at the hospital.
She could be seen wearing pants that went past her knees.
In the wake of such incidents, Malaysian Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said patients seeking medical attention at government health facilities should not be turned away because of their attire.
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Top image from Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah/Facebook