Indonesian woman challenges Syariah Court’s fine and jail sentence

Unusual case: Halimah (left) answering media queries at the courthouse in George Town. With her is Ong.

GEORGE TOWN: In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the country, an illiterate Catholic woman is appealing against her conviction by the Syariah Court here for committing khalwat (close proximity) with a non-Muslim at a massage spa.

Spa therapist Halimah, 42, from Bandung, has filed an application to the Syariah Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against the 14-day jail term and RM3,000 fine imposed by the Syariah Lower Court on May 15, 2012.