It was an expedition alright, but not the kind which Putera Umno had planned for some 8,000 biker youths, populary known as Mat and Minah Rempit.

According to a Harian Metro report today, the youths brought chaos to the tiny hamlet of Teluk Muroh in Lumut, Perak over the weekend.

The youths irked local residents when they bathed in an ablution pond located in a mosque despite being told not to do so.

This led the angry residents to file a report with the Manjung Religious Department (PAIDM) and an operation was mounted.

In the subsequent raid, eight youths, including teenage girls aged between 15 and 19, were detained at a nearby hotel.

The daily quoted PAIDM enforcement officer Mohd Zainuddin Mohamed Zaini as saying that they found three boys sharing a room with one girl.

Islam prohibits close proximity between unmarried couples.

In another room, he said they found two 18-year-old boys and two teenage girls in an intoxicated state. There were liquor bottles in the room.

He said all the youths involved will be charged at the Manjung district Syariah Court for khalwat (close proximity).

Mohd Zainuddin also said the locals had complained about the youths in the Putera Umno expedition of openly consuming alcohol.

While the girls were accused of being dressed provocatively when carrying out cleaning works at the mosque and cemetery, which was part of their activities.

No such thing

However, Putera Umno chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim denied receiving any reports on the alleged misconduct.

He said those involved in the expedition were tightly guarded with the help of more than 100 Rela and police officers. Three roadblocks were also mounted in the area.

According to him, the 7,700 male participants were housed at camps along the beach while the 300 girls stayed in a motel.

In view of this, he said it was impossible for the participants to 'escape' and commit khalwat . He also disputed the allegation that the youths bathed in the ablution pond.