Oooooops Bonceng

Unmarried Muslim couples should control their emotions and keep their hands to themselves while riding on motorcycles, said state Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) Commissioner Datuk Wan Mohd Wan Ibrahim.

Wan Mohd added that such couples should also refrain from putting their hands into the pockets of their lover's jacket as such acts were against the teachings of Islam.

He said on Wednesday that a team of enforcement officers would be conducting "Ops Bonceng" to catch Muslim couples who are acting indecently on motorcycles.

Wan Mohd added that JHEAT will go all out to nab unmarried Muslim couples acting indecently, and said that indecent acts included hugging or leaning over with their hands in the jacket pockets of their lover.

"We have a team of enforcement officers who will be watching these couples from a distance and recording them before informing another team of officers who are at the roadblocks with Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers," said Wan Mohd.

He added that the team would operate without cameras at this time as only eyewitness testimony is sufficient proof in court, but said that cameras would be used as the recordings would then be used in court. 

Wan Mohd said that no action would be taken on unmarried Muslim couples who were seated in a decent way on the motorcycle.

He however added that these couples would be advised to refrain from sitting closely as such an act could lead to acts such as sexual intercourse and having children out of wedlock.

"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," said Wan Mohd.

He added that the same would be done for Muslim couples seated indecently in cars. 

A Muslim person found to be acting indecently and inappropriately can be charged under Section 34 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Ta'zir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001.

Wan Mohd also reminded Muslim women in Terengganu to be more cautious about how they dressed, as Muslim women should not wear body-hugging and tight fitting jeans which show off parts of the body or the shape of their figure,

"We have given ample reminders, but we still find Muslim women disobeying the dress code under Section 35 of the same Enactment," said Wan Mohd.

Similar views were shared by JHEAT chief enforcement officer Nik Zulhaiza Ismail, who added that he had not been contacted by any online portals on the matter.

He said that reports which stated that all unmarried couples would be nabbed are incorrect.

Meanwhile state Communications, Multimedia & Special Duties Committee chairman Ghazali Taib said what the department plans to do is right and is within their jurisdiction.

"Such acts are against Islam and are an eyesore. Many were given advice so that they can realise their mistake," he said.