The Perak Islamic Affairs Department (JAIPK) will set up a special committee on Oct 6 to look into the case of Perak Tengah district councillor Zul Hassan and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail who confessed to accepting offers to have sex with Chinese nationals.

JAIPK director Jamry Sury said the committee would be tasked to look into several aspects of the case before any decision is made pertaining to prosecution.

This includes the question as to whether the various state syariah enactments provide for Zul Hassan and Fairul Azrim’s confessions to be sufficient or further evidence - such as witness testimonies - is required.

Connected to this is the question whether the Chinese women whom Zul and Fairul Azrim were said to have had sex with can be called upon by the syariah authorities to testify against them.

“We will have to look into these things in consultation with the state legal adviser before proceeding further.

“In addition to this, the membership and head of the committee will be identified on Oct 6 as well as its rules of operations and terms of reference,” he added when contacted today.

They were 'cajoled'

Perak has at least five enactments - relating to the administration of Islamic affairs, Syariah court rules, criminal laws, and laws of evidence and family laws - that were passed in 2004.

Zul Hassan and Fairul Azrim were said to have been ‘cajoled’ into accepting the sexual bribes in connection with the awarding of a development project of a 36ha piece of land at Seri Iskandar.

They were among five, including two Perak executive councillors, who were reportedly slapped with 16 charges of corruption.

Jamry said the department does not want to ‘disturb’ the investigations by the state Anti-Corruption Agency into those charges.

On Zul Hassan and Fairul Azrim’s claim that one Mohamad Imran Abdullah had organised and encouraged them to accept the sexual bribes, Jamry said: “We will also be determining whether he (Mohamad Imran) can be prosecuted under the Syariah laws for abetment.”

He added that Muslims found guilty of illicit sex can be fined up to RM5,000, imprisoned for three years, or both.

'Commitment to morality and ethics'

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was reported today to have announced that Zul Hassan had been ordered to quit his district councillor post.

“This is because he is unfit to represent the government in the council and we have told him to quit as soon as possible,” he was quoted as saying.

Lauding this, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said in a statement that the Perak government's swift action “shows its seriousness in putting into practice Pakatan Rakyat's commitment to ensure that morality and ethics are upheld by those in public offices and not merely expressed in words.”

“It is important that good conduct comes from the top in order to set an example for the younger generations. As such, we fully back the action taken on Zul Hassan and will support whatever action taken in future as and when there is enough evidence of wrongful conduct.

“Once again, we reiterate our uncompromising stand that any wrongdoing by any office holder, without regard to party affiliation or post, should not be tolerated and dealt with severely,” she said.

Zul Hassan will be dealt with by PKR’s disciplinary committee which will hear his side of the story, said Wan Azizah, particularly his reported comparison of his acceptance of the sex bribe to one who has been offered ‘sedekah’ (charity).

She also confirmed that Mohammad Imran mentioned in the scandal is not a member of PKR.

Women's chief: Action completely immoral

In another statement, head of the PKR women’s wing Zuraida Kamaruddin took Zul Hassan to task for offending the dignity of women.

“It is clear that the act by Zul Hassan was completely immoral, especially for someone professing the religion of Islam,” she said.

In reference to Zul Hassan and Fairul Azrim’s claim that they had been offered sexual bribes by Mohammad Imran, Zuraida called for action against all parties involved in the case.

“We in Wanita (PKR) want the authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly, whereby women have been made victims and used by certain individuals for their own interests, regardless of their political background.”