Group of Non Fasters Evade Arrest Following Raid at Restaurant in Kedah

The raid was conducted by enforcement officers from the Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIK), Kuala Muda District Religious Office (PADKM), and Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPK).

During the raid, several customers ran towards the hill behind the premises, leaving their drinks and food on the tables to avoid being detained. Four customers who couldn’t escape were detained.

They were issued notices under Section 14 of the Syariah Criminal Offenses Enactment 2014 for disrespecting the month of Ramadan and were asked to appear at the Kuala Muda District Religious Office for their statements to be recorded.

PADKM Enforcement Unit Chief, Shuib Ismail@Yusuf, said Ops Plastik Hitam was carried out based on intelligence gathered since the first day of Ramadan, as the premises were known to be a hotspot for those neglecting their fasting obligations.

“We found that the premises started operating as early as 8 am, claiming to only sell food via direct delivery to customers, mainly foreign workers from the manufacturing sector around Tikam Batu.”

“However, our intelligence revealed that the premises were among the ‘hot’ spots in the Kuala Muda district, providing food to customers for takeaway and allowing them to dine there,” he said today.