The Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Terengganu, JHEAT for short) has issued a warning against unmarried Muslim couples who commit indecent acts while riding on motorcycles.
These acts include hugging, leaning against each other, and putting their hands into the pockets of their partners’ jackets. JHEAT Commissioner Datuk Wan Mohd Wan Ibrahim said that stern actions would be taken against those who violate the teachings of Islam.
Dubbed “Ops Bonceng” (which means Operation Pillion), Datuk Wan Mohd stated that a team of enforcement officers would catch Muslim couples acting indecently on the road, adding that cameras are not needed as eyewitness testimonies were sufficient as proof in court.
“We have a team of enforcement officers who will be watching couples on motorcycles from a distance and recording them before informing another team of officers who are at the roadblocks with Road Transport Department officers,” he explained.
He advised couples to refrain from sitting closely as such acts could lead to sexual intercourse and having children out of wedlock. He continued, “We will advise unmarried Muslim couples to not ride pillion as it doesn’t portray a good image. That is our job and we are doing this because prevention is better than cure.”
On top of that, action would also be taken against unmarried couples seated indecently in cars but the operation has to be conducted differently.
“We cannot just implement (the same method) to those riding in cars together because the enforcers’ eyes cannot see what happens. We cannot punish and assume what they do. Unlike riding motorcycles, it is obvious that they sit together closely,” JHEAT chief assistant commissioner Nik Zulhaiza Ismail told MMO.
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