Three Muslim youths caught drinking alcohol

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NO ESCAPE FOR YOU: Ustaz Omar issuing summons to three youths suspected to have consumed alcohol at the Waterfront.

LAWAS: Three Muslim youths were caught drinking alcohol at the Waterfront here during an Integrated Syariah Crimes Prevention Operation on Monday night.

Consuming alcohol is an offence under Section 16 of the Syariah Laws 201, which carries a fine not exceeding RM3,000 or two years’ jail.

The operation was led by Ustaz Omar Mat from the Sarawak Islamic Department (Jais) enforcement unit here, with assistance of officers from its Kuching headquarters and the local police.

The team, in three vehicles, started the operation by checking three entertainment outlets and two restaurants which revealed that no offences were committed in those premises.

On their way to Kampung Punang, they came across a group of youths drinking alcohol at the roadside. They however managed to run to the nearby jungle before anyone could catch them.

Later, when the team was about to enter a premises, their presence was detected by a group of gamblers who ran helter-skelter through the maze of jetties and walkways in the village.

The police and Jais enforcement officers later found that there were signs of gambling in the area but no suspects were arrested.

It is believed that the gamblers were tipped off in advance after someone saw them entering the village.

Meanwhile, Lawas Jais officer Ustaz Mohd Adib Sani said such operations would continue to be held in future, irrespective of time and place.

“We want to make sure that the district is free from immoral activities which could harm the society,” he said.

He said that although crimes under syariah law were comparatively few here compared to other areas in the state, enforcement had to be taken to stop any immoral activities from spreading here.