Syariah judge freed of khalwat charge

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Syariah High Court judge Adam Tumiran and his partner Nurul Izani Md Isa were acquitted and freed by the Syariah High Court today of a khalwat (close proximity) charge.
Justice Zaim Md Yudin found Adam, 47, and Nurul Izani, 37, not guilty as the couple was legally married at the time they were detained for allegedly committing khalwat at a government quarters four years ago.
Adam and Nurul Izani were charged with committing the offence at a government quarters in Jalan Masjid Negeri here at 2.05am on Dec 5, 2010.
They were charged under Sections 27 (a) and (b) of Penang Syariah Offences Enactment 1996.
Mohd Najmuddin Mustafa and Mohd Fahmi Mohd Idris prosecuted .
Ahmad Munawir Abdul Aziz, Wan Faridulhadi Mohd Yusof and Rosdee Abdul Razak represent both Adam and Nurul Izani.
Following the original trial, the couple was first acquitted on May 17, 2012 by the Syariah High Court, ruling that their marriage certificate that was tendered in court was valid.
However, on April 30 last year, the Syariah Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution's application for a retrial on technical grounds.
Judge Zaim also ordered the RM1,000 court bail each to be returned to the couple.
Adam and Nurul Izani looked relieved when the verdict was read by the judge.
Their lawyer, Ahmad Munawir, said judgment was made on the merits of the case that the charged couple was legally married in Satun, Thailand, Oct 13, 2010.
"We hope there won't be any more appeal against the decision. Our clients have suffered a lot for the past four years," said Ahmad Munawir.