Actress, singer held for 'khalwat'

Actress, singer held for 'khalwat'

MALAYSIA: Two Malaysian celebrities have been arrested by
religious authorities for the Islamic offense of khalwat, which
forbids men and women who are not married to each other from
being in close proximity, reports said on Monday.

Actress Aida Rahim and singer Joe Radzwill were detained on
early Sunday at a condominium in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur
following a tip-off, the New Straits Times said.

They were expected to be charged under Islamic Sharia laws and
face up to two years' jail or a 3,000 ringgit (US$789) fine if
found guilty, the daily said.

The actress, in her mid-40s, has a daughter while the singer,
in his 30s, is married with three children.

Some 60 percent of Malaysia's 23 million population are
Muslims, who are subject to Sharia laws in civil matters such as
marriage and divorce. -- AFP