KUALA LUMPUR: Actors Aliff Aziz and Ruhainies have pleaded not guilty to charges of committing khalwat (close proximity) on March 9, reports The Star's Malay-language portal mStar.
Their pleas were made in front of Syarie Judge Abu Suffian Abu Yaziz at the Federal Territory Syariah High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (July 3).
"I understand the charge. I plead not guilty," Aliff said.
Ruhainies also made the same plea before the judge after the charge against her was read.
"I understand. I plead not guilty and request a trial," she said.
mStar reported that the prosecution was conducted by Syariah prosecutors from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), Mohd Nahar Mohamad and Masroha Duki.
Ruhainies and Aliff are charged under Section 27(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 and Section 27(b) of the same act, which carries a maximum fine of RM3,000 or imprisonment of no more than two years, or both, if convicted.
Both were represented by lawyers Hadi Salleh and Amirul Ashraf Ghani.
Aliff and Ruhainies were arrested on khalwat charges at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on March 9.
On June 20, they also appeared in court for an extension of the bail bond related to the khalwat case.
The trial has been postponed to Oct 12 and the bail bond for both has also been extended, mStar reported.
The mStar story can be viewed at www.mstar.com.my/spotlight/sensasi/2024/07/03/aliff-aziz-ruhainies-mengaku-tidak-bersalah-berkhalwat
