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A 24-year-old man has been arrested after admitting to having premarital sex with his 22-year-old neighbour
According to the New Straits Times, the woman gave birth to their child two months ago after the pair engaged in sexual intercourse out of wedlock in a car park last year, an offence under the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Johor) 1997 for zina.
The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) said officers visited the woman's house at 10am yesterday, 7 April, where they found a 2-month-old baby sleeping on a mattress.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman had stopped working after learning she was pregnant. She later admitted to having engaged in an illicit relationship with the man, who lives in the same village.
Following her admission, enforcement officers went to the man's home nearby and detained him.
The man appeared shocked when JAINJ officers knocked on his door
He initially remained silent but later admitted to committing zina after questioning.
"At first, the man said he repented of his actions and promised to marry the woman and take responsibility for the infant.
"However, when asked repeatedly whether he was ready to proceed with the marriage, he appeared to avoid answering. Prior to the birth, he had assured the woman he would marry her.
"Unfortunately, the marriage promise was never fulfilled until authorities received a complaint," Harian Metro quoted JAINJ as saying.
The department has advised the man to marry the woman and has summoned both families in an effort to reach an amicable resolution.
The couple is expected to be charged under Section 23 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Johor) 1997 for zina.
If convicted, they may face a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or up to six strokes of the rotan.
