A married man was arrested alongside an Indonesian masseuse during a religious enforcement operation at a massage parlour in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia.
The incident took place at around 10.45pm on Monday (24 August), when officers from the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) conducted an operation at the premises.
According to local media reports, enforcement officers entered one of the rooms and found a local man in his 30s wearing only underwear and lying on a bed. An Indonesian woman in her 30s was reportedly sitting beside him.
Man Said He Only Received A Regular Massage
JAINJ said officers found a single bed, the man’s clothing and several small bottles of massage oil inside the room during their inspection.
Further checks reportedly found that the man was married and had a child. He works and rents a room in Kota Tinggi, while his wife and child live in another state around three hours away.
The man reportedly told authorities that he normally returned to his hometown once a week or once every two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian woman had reportedly started working at the massage establishment around four months earlier. She was said to be employed on a commission basis.
The circumstances surrounding the pair’s presence in the room became part of the religious department’s investigation.
Massage Parlour Promoted Services Online
JAINJ reportedly said the massage parlour was believed to attract customers through promotions on various internet applications, as well as through walk-in business.
A standard massage reportedly costs RM80, or around S$25, for an hour. Authorities also said additional charges were available for other services.
However, the man denied receiving any additional services from the masseuse.
According to JAINJ, he claimed that he had only booked a regular massage because he was tired after work. His account will form part of the investigation into the incident.
Pair Arrested Over Suspected Khalwat Offence
The man and woman were arrested on suspicion of committing khalwat, an offence under Section 27 of the Johor State Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment.
The term generally refers to being in close proximity in private under circumstances prohibited by state Islamic law. The applicable rules and penalties fall under Johor’s Syariah criminal legislation.
The pair are expected to face proceedings in the Syariah Court, where further action will be determined.
The arrest highlights how religious enforcement laws in Malaysia can apply to Muslims in circumstances involving suspected khalwat, with investigations typically focusing on the circumstances in which individuals are found together in private.
Authorities have not indicated that the man admitted to receiving any additional services, and his denial remains part of the reported account of the incident.
Further details about the case, including the outcome of any Syariah Court proceedings, have not been reported.