A POLICE inspector and a policewoman who is a wife pleaded guilty at the Syariah High Court today to a charge of khalwat (close proximity) last May.
The accused, Muhammad Shukri Hamzah, 40, and Intan Suriani Abdul Kadir, 33, made the plea after the charge was read out before Melaka Syariah High Court Judge Mawardi Che Man.
According to the charge, the two accused were found locked in a rented room at 11.57 pm on May 14, 2026, at Taman Mas Merah Batu Berendam in Central Melaka.
Muhammad Shukri was charged with committing an offence under Section 53(1) of the Syariah Offences (Melaka).
If convicted, he can be fined not more than RM3,000 or imprisoned for up to 24 months or both.
Meanwhile, Intan Suriani was charged with committing an offence under Section 53(2) of the Syariah Offences (Melaka), which carries a fine of not more than RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to 24 months or both.
The case was handled by the Chief Syariah Prosecutor of the Melaka Syariah Prosecution Department, Wan Mahyuddin Wan Muhammad.
The prosecution requested the court to impose a sentence commensurate with the position of the two accused as members of the enforcement agency.
The prosecution argued that the case was serious because the arrest was made by a Syariah officer together with the mosque imam.
The prosecution also stressed that the two accused should have shown a high level of integrity as police officers, and that the act could affect the public's trust in the enforcement agency.
The court then sentenced Muhammad Shukri to a fine of RM3,000, or six months in prison if he failed to pay the fine.
Meanwhile, Intan Suriani was fined RM2,000 or four months in prison if she failed to pay the fine.
Before handing down the sentence, the judge expressed disappointment over the involvement of members of the enforcement agencies in syariah offences.
According to him, police officers and syariah enforcement officers have a responsibility to uphold justice and maintain peace.
He also described the case as disappointing because individuals who are expected to protect the community are themselves involved in acts that violate the law.
He also reminded both accused to learn from the sentence handed down and not repeat such acts.
In a stern tone, Mawardi stressed that their position as police officers should not be an excuse to ignore the law, but rather they should be examples to the community. – August 13, 2026
