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Brunei's Syariah officers urge hotel employees not to seduce the guests



One of the panel members, Syariah Legal Officer Deputy Senior Counsel from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) Hjh Hasanah Hj Hasan, however, reassured hotel workers that as long they act within the boundary of their profession and job description, and there is no suspicion that they are committing an immoral act, then they are safe. Khalwat refers to an unmarried man and a woman cohabiting, or living in confinement or isolating themselves in close proximity that can lead to suspicion that they are committing an immoral act.



This applies to any man and or woman or more who are not mahram (a relative who they not permitted to marry such as a father or brother/mother or sister). The law states that any Muslim who commits khalwat is guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. Any non-Muslim who commits khalwat with a Muslim is also guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.





Brunei: Immoral activities may happen when hotel worker enter a guest's room



Other concerns raised include time for staff to perform their religious duties such as Friday prayers (for male Muslims) and break fast (during Ramadan). Hjh Hasanah said that accommodating the religious obligations of Muslim employees, such as giving them time and facilities in which to perform them, is the responsibility of the management of respective companies.



A male Muslim who is caught not performing the Friday prayers, without any reasonable excuse, can be fined under the newly-enforced Syariah Penal Code Order. Inciting or persuading any Muslim to neglect their religious duty, such as persuading them not to or prevent any Muslim from attending any mosque to perform Friday prayer, is also an offense and the company may be punished for that. However, male staff may occasionally exempt themselves from attending the obligatory Friday prayers in order to work, the panel said.





Brunei: Hotel staffs and guests must ensure they don't come too close to each others



There was also question on whether the hotel's dress code for women was acceptable under the law. The panel clarified that there is no specific offense in the Order regarding dress code or clothing, but any clothing that constitute indecency may fall under Section 197 of the Syariah Penal Code Order (indecent behavior) which carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both. Brunei has yet to produce a guideline for 'indecent behavior', and it is up to the subjective opinion of the Syariah officers to determine the decency of an individual.





SOS:



http://bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/05/23/...-khalwat-hotels

Brunei is concerned about the possibilities of hotel employees going into the rooms and have sexual relationship with the guests. During a question and answer session following the Syariah briefing yesterday at the Empire Hotel, hotel personnel are advised to carry out their duties professionally when they are alone with guests in their rooms to avoid being accused of khalwat (close proximity), or other offenses under the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013. The briefing specifically highlighted the staff in housekeeping, where they have to be alone with guests in the rooms sometimes.One of the panel members, Syariah Legal Officer Deputy Senior Counsel from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) Hjh Hasanah Hj Hasan, however, reassured hotel workers that as long they act within the boundary of their profession and job description, and there is no suspicion that they are committing an immoral act, then they are safe. Khalwat refers to an unmarried man and a woman cohabiting, or living in confinement or isolating themselves in close proximity that can lead to suspicion that they are committing an immoral act.This applies to any man and or woman or more who are not mahram (a relative who they not permitted to marry such as a father or brother/mother or sister). The law states that any Muslim who commits khalwat is guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. Any non-Muslim who commits khalwat with a Muslim is also guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.Other concerns raised include time for staff to perform their religious duties such as Friday prayers (for male Muslims) and break fast (during Ramadan). Hjh Hasanah said that accommodating the religious obligations of Muslim employees, such as giving them time and facilities in which to perform them, is the responsibility of the management of respective companies.A male Muslim who is caught not performing the Friday prayers, without any reasonable excuse, can be fined under the newly-enforced Syariah Penal Code Order. Inciting or persuading any Muslim to neglect their religious duty, such as persuading them not to or prevent any Muslim from attending any mosque to perform Friday prayer, is also an offense and the company may be punished for that. However, male staff may occasionally exempt themselves from attending the obligatory Friday prayers in order to work, the panel said.There was also question on whether the hotel's dress code for women was acceptable under the law. The panel clarified that there is no specific offense in the Order regarding dress code or clothing, but any clothing that constitute indecency may fall under Section 197 of the Syariah Penal Code Order (indecent behavior) which carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both. Brunei has yet to produce a guideline for 'indecent behavior', and it is up to the subjective opinion of the Syariah officers to determine the decency of an individual.SOS: