KUALA TERENGGANU: A technician and his partner were each fined RM4,500 by the Syariah High Court here on Sunday after being detained in an awkward situation at a hotel recently.
The male and female defendants, aged 27 and 29 respectively, also face a 10-month prison sentence if they fail to pay the fine.
The decision was made by Senior Judge of the Terengganu Syariah High Court, Rosdi Harun, after both unmarried defendants pleaded guilty to the charges read out to them.
According to the charges, the couple, who reside in Johor, were detained in a hotel room in Dungun on February 11 at 1:25 AM.
Both defendants were charged under Section 29 of the Syariah Criminal Offenses (Takzir) (Terengganu) Amendment Enactment 2020 for acts as preparation for illicit sexual intercourse. For this offense, they face a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or whipping not exceeding six strokes, or a combination of these punishments, if convicted.
Based on the facts of the case, during a raid conducted by district enforcement officers, they were found in a room with a locked door. The enforcement officers knocked and were greeted by a man opening the door. Upon further inspection, they found a woman undressed, with only a small towel on her head, behind the bathroom door.
Upon interrogation, it was found that they were not legally married and both were detained for further action. The prosecution was conducted by Syarie Prosecutor of the Terengganu State Syariah Prosecution Department, while both defendants were not represented by a lawyer.
