M’sia man detained by religious officers for suspected immoral activity, says he was in girlfriend’s house to help dye her hair

A 20-year-old man in Kedah, Malaysia, claimed he had gone to his girlfriend’s house late at night to help dye her hair, but the visit ended with both of them being detained by religious enforcement officers.

The pair were suspected of “khalwat,” an offence under Syariah law involving an unmarried couple being alone together in a private space.

Officers found pair inside bedroom after tip-off

According to Harian Metro, enforcement officers from the Kulim District Religious Affairs Department carried out a check at a house in Sungai Seluang shortly after midnight following a tip-off about alleged immoral activity.

Kulim District Religious Affairs enforcement officer Anwar Sharifuddin Mat Saad said officers knocked on the door before being allowed inside by the teenage girl’s mother.

"After knocking, the door was opened by a woman believed to be the girl’s mother and she allowed the inspection to be carried out."

During checks inside one of the rooms, officers found the 17-year-old girl together with the 20-year-old man.

Further checks confirmed that the two were neither married nor related.

Girl said she invited him over to dye her hair

The teenage girl later told officers she had asked the man to come to her room to help dye her hair.

“She said she asked the man to come to her house to help dye her hair in her room,” Anwar said.

He added that the girl’s mother was aware the man was in the house at the time but did not stop him from entering the room.

Investigations also found the pair had known each other for about eight months after meeting on TikTok, and continued communicating through Telegram.

The man is reportedly from Penang and works part-time at a motorcycle shop.

Both taken in for suspected “khalwat”

Both individuals were detained and taken to a police station before being brought to the religious affairs office for further questioning.

According to Harian Metro, the pair are being investigated and could face a fine of up to RM3,000 (S$960), imprisonment of up to two years, or both if convicted.

China Press reported the enforcement operation took place at around 12:50am, and that the girl’s mother later questioned officers about the raid and the identity of the person who reported the case.

Top image via TikTok