KOTA BARU: Twenty-one men in Kelantan were arrested by the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jaheaik) for posing as women over a three-year period.
State Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Public Relations Committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said the arrests were among 2,135 syariah criminal cases recorded by the department’s Syariah Law Enforcement Division between 2023 and 2025.
Khalwat (close proximity) offences accounted for the highest number, with 1,446 cases, followed by 435 cases involving indecent acts.
“Other offences recorded included 84 cases of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, 55 cases of exposing aurat in public places and 25 cases of failing to respect Ramadan.
“Besides the 21 cases involving men posing as women, there were also three cases involving women posing as men, three cases of encouraging vice and 63 cases involving other offences,” he said.
Asri said khalwat, particularly cases involving teenagers, remained the most frequently recorded syariah offence during the period.
He said the 21 men were charged under Section 19 of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.
The enactment, which came into force on Nov 1, 2021, contains 68 sections. However, 16 were repealed in 2024, leaving 52 sections in force and enforceable by the state’s religious authorities.
He said the state government, through its Membangun Bersama Islam (Developing with Islam) policy, remained committed to strengthening the implementation of syariah laws despite various challenges, including limitations in enforcing the Syariah Criminal Code.
Preliminary figures for 2026 showed that Kota Baru recorded the highest number of syariah offences, with 282 cases, followed by Bachok with 233.
Jeli recorded the lowest number, with 25 cases, while Dabong reported none.
Asri said the increase in cases involving indecent acts or speech this year was also a concern, particularly in Kota Baru and Bachok.
“Enforcement efforts are not solely focused on arrests and punishment, but also include preventive measures and raising public awareness of compliance with syariah laws.
“Jaheaik also holds discussions with strategic agencies, including the police and the National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada), to intensify awareness and prevention programmes,” he said.
He added that briefings on syariah laws were conducted regularly at state and federal government institutions, as well as educational institutions, including schools, to ensure the public understood the provisions of the laws in force.