PKR denies orchestrating khalwat entrapment scheme against rivals

KUALA LUMPUR — PKR's second-in-command dismissed allegations of party involvement in setting up a religious entrapment scheme, emphasising that orchestrating such operations contradicts the party's principles and governance standards.

Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari asserted that monitoring compliance with Islamic law and conducting enforcement operations are functions reserved exclusively for religious authorities and law enforcement agencies, not political parties.

The denial comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding khalwat—an Islamic religious offense involving unmarried individuals in proximity that violates Shariah law in several Malaysian states. The allegation had suggested PKR strategically deployed the issue for political advantage against opponents.

Amirudin's statement underscores PKR's position that the party operates within constitutional boundaries and does not engage in tactics involving religious law enforcement mechanisms. The remarks reflect broader political tensions within Malaysia's complex landscape of federal and state-level governance.

The incident highlights the intersection of religious governance and political competition in Malaysia, where khalwat enforcement remains a contentious issue across different state administrations.

Photo: Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR leader Amirudin Shari in his official portrait, November 2022. Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).