"privacy" in Malaysia?

[Sabrina]

Has anyone had any experiences if you travelled with a Moslem (although not necc) in Malaysia? I just had a friend who is not even moslem but got caught cos she was lying her head on the shoulders of her fiance at a bus stand..and they both were Singaporean/ although of Sri Lankan ethnicity.

The police said that they had to pay $500 ringgit cos they were "cohabiting"...

now im concerned cos me and my better half were planning on visiting Penang but wondered what would be the outcome.....

any comments?

[kopi money]

Sounds more like police asking for bribe.

[Sabrina]

but what is the deal with that "khalwat"? Does it apply to just about anyone as long as it happens in Malaysia or only to Malaysians? The last thing i need is someone to barge into our room and have us arrested!....  

[lane]

only applicable to Muslims alone. They cant touch non-muslim on khalwat charges. If you are with a muslim, the muslim person will get either a fine or a jail but they will not be able to touch you..

[yepyep]

yep - the police is just fishing for "kopi money". Quite common if you believe what some people say... speeding, illegal parking, whatever.

I wouldn't worry about it to be frank. If this helps, the city of Penang has a majority population of ethnic chinese and indians.

[BunnyChew]

Don't be surprised and don't expect too much....I mean, their fearless leader is a ball baby.....cry cry cry cry cry boo hooooooooooooooooooo!

[titu]

they wouldn't ask for money if they catch you in a compromising situation inside your hotel room ..

[Joanna]

Khalwat only apply's to Bumiputra's - Malays.

The Religious Police are very strict, but I guess your friends got ripped off and it was the policemens (not R.police) lucky week!  (They get paid a pittance).

If you have your I.D. card/passport you shouldn't have any problems, and particularly on the West Coast.  

This sounds like a one off situation to me.