6 Men In Terengganu Jailed And Fined For Going To A Waterfall Instead Of Friday Prayers
The offence was committed at Sekayu Waterfall, Terengganu on 23 August.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 02 Dec 2019, 02:31 PM
Six Muslim men in Terengganu were sentenced to one month's jail and fined over RM2,000 for being at Sekayu Waterfall instead of performing Friday prayers
The offence was conducted between 1pm and 1.50pm on 23 August, reported Harian Metro.
Hulu Terengganu Lower Shariah Court heard the six plead guilty to a charge for missing the compulsory Friday prayers.
The six were accused of violating Section 16 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment (Takzir) amendment 2016
The Islamic provision carries a maximum jail sentence up to two years and a fine of up to RM3,000, if convicted.
The case was prosecuted by Syarie Nurul Taqwa Hasbul and heard by Syarie judge Nik Mohd Shahril Irwan Mat Yusof.
The accused - Khairul Azle Abdul Rasid, 35; Abdul Malek Mohd, 25; Muhamad Hafizi Abdul Razak, 22; Muhammad Aliff Fikri A Mazzani, 19; and two 17-year-old boys - were unrepresented in the case.
Khairul, the eldest accused and a father of two, received a heftier sentence as the judge reasoned that he should set an example for the family
Khairul was fined RM2,500, while the other five - who are unmarried - were fined RM2,400.
According to Sinar Harian, if the accused fail to pay the fine, they will receive an additional six months' jail.
The charge sheet revealed that the six were arrested during a raid conducted by Terengganu Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT)
JHEAT female officers ran a check at the waterfall and found the six accused to be among several other people picnicking with their families during the hour of Friday prayers.
Harian Metro reported that the arrest, leading to sentencing for not performing Friday prayers, is believed to be the first case in Malaysia.
