Perak religious authorities arrest eight Muslims for not fasting at a snooker centre, with some also facing gambling and abetment charges during a Ramadan operation.

IPOH: The Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) has detained eight Muslims for allegedly skipping their Ramadan fast at a snooker centre. The raid followed about a week of surveillance on the premises in the Jubilee Park area.

JAIPk chief religious enforcement officer Ashraf Ismail said the venue was believed to be a gathering spot for Muslims not observing the fast. Five individuals were detained for disrespecting Ramadan under Section 24 of the Perak Syariah Criminal Enactment 1992.

Another person was held for alleged gambling under Section 26 of the same enactment. Two others are being investigated for abetment related to both gambling and disrespecting Ramadan offences.

Those detained, aged between 36 and 59, offered various excuses including being unwell or just visiting briefly. One claimed he had only stopped to use the toilet and was watching others.

“This is an excuse we often hear during operations,” said Ashraf Ismail. He stated that video evidence was presented showing the individual smoking, after which he admitted to the offence.

Authorities also discovered that food was provided at the location, with some items given free of charge. The detainees were taken to the JAIPk office for further investigation.

Action may include placing them under a surety bond. Ashraf Ismail added that enforcement will be intensified throughout Ramadan, focusing on three main offences.

These are disrespecting Ramadan, gambling, and collecting charity funds without the council’s permission under Section 43 of the enactment.

 The Sun Malaysia