Former Youth and Sports Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic) Salim Parlan was today fined RM3,000 or five months jail by the Syariah Lower Court in George Town, for committing ‘khalwat’ (being in close proximity) at a hotel in Batu Ferringhi, last April.

Syariah Judge Nik Bukhari Hashimy Nik Yahaya handed a similar fine to Salim’s former personal assistant Nur Diayana Norslan, 30, who was jointly charged with the offence.

Salim, who was also former Road Transport Department deputy director-general, and Nur Diayana were alleged to have committed the offence in Room 224 at the hotel about 5am on April 16.

They were charged under Section 27 (a) of the Penang Syariah Criminal Enactment 1996, which carries a maximum jail term of two years, or fine not exceeding RM3,000, or both, upon conviction.

When passing sentence, Nik Bukhari said though the court considered the facts of the case and the fact that both the accused had pleaded guilty, there was still enough reason to view the case as serious because both were civil servants who should be exemplary to others.

Their action had tarnished the image of the civil service and the sentence meted out should serve as a deterrent to others, said Nik Bukhari.

The prosecution was led by Syariah prosecution head Mohd Zulkhairi Aziz.

- Bernama