Khalwat Among Teenagers Most Prevalent in Kelantan

Kelantan recorded 2,135 Syariah arrests between 2023 and 2025, with khalwat (close proximity) the most common offence at 1,446 cases, the state assembly was told on Wednesday (Nov 4), Bernama reported.

State Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Public Relations Committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said the figures came from enforcement operations by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEAIK).

Khalwat arrests prominent

He said 435 cases involved indecent acts or speech, 84 involved pregnancy out of wedlock, 55 involved exposing aurat in public and 25 involved disrespecting Ramadan.

Another 21 cases involved men impersonating women, three involved women impersonating men and three involved encouraging immoral activities, with 63 other miscellaneous offences. Khalwat involving teenagers was the most prevalent offence, he said.

Mohd Asri was replying to a question from Hafidzah Mustakim (PH-Kota Lama). He said indecent speech offences had also risen this year, with 282 cases in Kota Bharu district and 233 in Bachok.

Enforcement under 2019 enactment

Enforcement is governed by the Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, in force since Nov 1, 2021. It has 52 enforceable sections after 16 of its original 68 sections were repealed in 2024, he said.

He said the state remained committed to strengthening enforcement despite challenges, including limits on implementing the code, and that JAHEAIK had held talks with the police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency on awareness and prevention programmes.

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