A 21-YEAR-old man who came under public scrutiny after photographs of him participating in a religious ritual at a Batu Caves temple went viral has been ordered to undergo three months of faith rehabilitation.
The Gombak Barat Lower Syariah Court in Kuang issued the order on Wednesday after Aliff Daniel Adli pleaded guilty to improper worship at the temple on Jan 24, 2024.
Syariah Judge Mohd Faizal Habib directed him to undergo rehabilitation at the Baitul Iman Faith Rehabilitation Centre in Hulu Yam, opting for a corrective programme instead of a fine or custodial sentence.
In delivering his decision, Mohd Faizal said the offence was not an ordinary criminal matter as it concerned the accused’s faith and the principles of tauhid (the oneness of Allah).
He questioned whether imposing a RM3,000 fine or sending the accused to prison for two years would necessarily achieve the desired outcome, saying the court had to consider what would help him recognise the seriousness of his actions and turn his life around.
“The court is not certain to what extent those punishments would help you become a better person. However, the court sees the proposal (by the prosecution) under Section 54(1) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 as something that can be considered as a form of lesson,” he said.
The judge also urged Aliff to perform taubat nasuha (sincere repentance), describing the offence as a serious act of syirik (associating partners with Allah).
He reminded the accused that he had much of his life ahead of him and should not waste his youth on activities that could compromise his future.
“You may have been exploring other things when you were 18, but you must understand where the boundaries lie. At your young age, there are many more worthwhile things you should be looking towards,” he said.
Under the charge, Aliff was accused of improper worship by carrying an object associated with another religion, participating in a body-piercing ritual and kneeling with both hands clasped against his chest in front of an idol.
The offence allegedly took place between 9 pm and 11 pm at the temple on Jan 24, 2024.
He was charged under Section 4(1) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995, which provides for a maximum fine of RM3,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both upon conviction.
Earlier, Selangor Syariah Prosecution Department prosecutor Zamniazura Mohd Sarin urged the court to exercise its discretion under Section 54(1) of the same enactment to order rehabilitation instead of imposing a fine or prison sentence.
She said the provision allowed the court to direct a convicted person to undergo rehabilitation or counselling at a designated centre for a period of up to six months.
Aliff, who was unrepresented, appealed for leniency, telling the court that he had repented and was now caring for his mother, who had recently undergone surgery.
He also pointed out that the photographs circulating on Facebook were taken in 2024, when he was 18, questioning why they had resurfaced only now.
“Why were the pictures not uploaded in 2024? Why now? I no longer do things that go against syarak or involve syirik.”
“I have changed and repented. I therefore ask to be allowed to attend religious guidance classes,” he said, visibly emotional.
Zamniazura maintained that the age of the photographs did not alter the fact that an offence had been committed, adding that rehabilitation was appropriate to ensure Aliff did not repeat his actions.
She handled the prosecution alongside Syarie prosecutors Siti Nor Hashibah Jamhari and Husaini Roslin.
After the hearing, Aliff, dressed in a white shirt and kopiah, was escorted by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) enforcement officers to the Baitul Iman centre to begin the three-month rehabilitation programme, effective Wednesday. – November 4, 2026
