PENANG STEPS UP ENFORCEMENT TO CURB ILLICIT ACTIVITIES

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Penang will step up enforcement operations to curb immoral activities, including cases of alleged unnatural sexual activities involving Muslims in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the state government views the matter seriously as such activities clearly contravene religious teachings.

“Such incidents have also occurred in Penang and the enforcement division of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINPP) remains alert in addressing these violations.

“Integrated operations with the police are conducted regularly and these efforts will be further strengthened to tackle the issue more decisively,” he told reporters at the handover ceremony of Zakat Wakalah Smartboards contributed by Etiqa Takaful here today.

He was responding to questions on the state’s measures to address deviant activities following arrests made in Bandar Perai Jaya on Saturday.

Mohamad, who also chairs the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), said JHEAINPP provides religious outreach and counselling programmes as part of a rehabilitative approach to help affected individuals return to normal life in accordance with religious values.

He said funding has been allocated for these programmes, which are overseen by JHEAINPP’s dakwah division and have shown positive results, with some individuals reportedly changing their behaviour after receiving counselling and guidance.

On Nov 29, police arrested 13 men, including two foreigners, for their suspected involvement in unnatural prostitution activities during a raid on a three-storey shoplot in Bandar Perai Jaya.

Of those detained, 11 were customers, comprising nine local men and two foreign men aged between 19 and 66. The remaining two were the worker and owner of the premises, aged 57 and 59.

-- BERNAMA