KUALA LUMPUR: The recent arrest of two celebrities by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) is not a gimmick.
In a news report today, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the department raided the premises after being tipped off by a third party.
He said Jawi would not deploy officers merely to be a part of a publicity stunt or to promote a drama production of which the two artistes detained were currently filming.
"Vice is vice, and it is not something to be a vehicle for promotion of any kind. There's no question of Jawi merely doing it as a gimmick.
"Khalwat (close proximity) is a crime under Federal Territories syariah criminal enactment," the report quoted him as saying.
Na'im said this after launching the Bulan Wakaf Kebangsaaan 2024-Wakaf Membangun Malaysia Madani here earlier today.
After the arrest last Friday, some people wondered if the incident was merely a publicity stunt to promote the drama series the two artistes are starring in.
Na'im said he had also contacted Jawi director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail to get clarification on the issue.