Aliff Aziz and Ruhainies plead guilty to khalwat offence

Singaporean singer-actor Aliff Aziz and actress Ruhainies have changed their plea and admitted guilt to the charge of khalwat (close proximity) at the Syariah High Court of the Federal Territory in Malaysia on Feb 21.

The Syariah Prosecution Department of the Federal Territory confirmed this in a statement on Feb 27, stating that both celebrities had paid a fine of 3,000 ringgit (S$900).

"At the previous mention date on Oct 17, 2024, the court had set the dates of Feb 20 and Feb 27 for the continuation of the trial after both of them pleaded not guilty," said the department.

"However, the defendants' syariah lawyer, in a letter dated Feb 18, informed that both clients intended to change their plea and requested the court to amend the date to Feb 21."

"After the charge was read again, both changed their plea to guilty. Based on their guilty plea, the Syariah High Court judge found them guilty and imposed a fine of 3,000 ringgit or three months in jail if the fine is not paid," said the statement, which was reported by Sinar Harian.

Earlier, Aliff, whose full name is Mohammad Aliff Aziz, 33, and Ruhainies, whose full name is Nur Ruhainies Farehah Zainul Ilyas, 31, pleaded not guilty during the hearing on July 3, 2024 after being charged for khalwat offences.

Media reports previously said that the married artist and his partner, a female actress, were caught in close proximity after allegedly cohabiting in a luxury condominium.

Sources reported that the arrest was made by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department based on public information.