JOHOR BARU: Nine individuals were detained during an operation by the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) in conjunction with New Year's Eve celebrations here.
Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid stated that the inspection took place at a hotel in Perling, Johor Baru, starting at 11pm on Dec 31 and concluding at 3am on Jan 1.
"The operation followed complaints received by JAINJ's Enforcement Department. Inspection revealed that the hotel had provided a venue for hosting a New Year's Eve celebration featuring alcohol consumption and a foam party.
"A total of 29 Muslim individuals, including employees and patrons, were present at the premises during the inspection.
"Nine of these individuals, comprising four men and five women, tested positive for alcohol. Among them, five were Malaysian citizens, while four were foreign nationals," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 1).
All nine individuals were detained under Section 19(1)(2) of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997 for consuming intoxicating drinks.
