Khalwat, Divorce Cases On The Rise In Brunei
By Azian Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Religious authorities in the country yesterday expressed concern over the reported rise in the number of lose proximity (khalwat) cases, adultery and consumption of alcohol by Muslims.

According to records there were 304 Khalwat cases, 77 adultery cases and 60 alcohol abuse cases last year.

The proliferation of these have prompted the authorities launch a series of talks to educate the people against these offences.

In an interview with the Weekend yesterday, the Acting lead of Religious Enforcement said religious enforcement officers have carried out a series of talks at schools and colleges like Maktab Dull, villages in Tutong and Belait with plans to expand these to the village consultative councils in all the four districts, besides carrying out spot checks and raids.

For the past three weeks of this year alone, 24 complaints have been received in the Brunei/Muara district, four in Belait and three in Tutong relating to such violations.

Other violations under Civil Criminal Section include eating, drinking and smoking during Ramadhan and two cases of preventing Muslims from performing prayer, twenty nine cases of non-Muslims aiding in the offence of close proximity.

Divorce outside the court contributed the largest slice of the cases recorded under Family Section last year with 121 cases, 17 cases getting solemnised without the approval of the Syariah court and 16 cases with failing to report divorce.

Others included six cases of polygamy without the consent of the Syariah court, one unfaithful wife, two cases of wife abuse and two cases of wife leaving house without the consent of husband. In total, 168 cases were reported under the Family Section last year.

The Acting Head of Religious Enforcement Division also cautioned Muslims to think twice before having their marriages solemnised abroad.

Explaining why it should not be so, he said they may face a problem when applying for a birth certificate for their newly-born child at the Immigration and the National Registration Department.

Those who get solemnised in a neighbouring country and not in Brunei (without the approval of Brunei's Syariah court) may face such difficulties. It is also an offence under Section 38 (2).

This also applies to those who indulge in polygamy in a neighbouring country without the approval of the Brunei's Syariah Court, which is also an offence under Section 123. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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