MALACCA: An express bus driver's tryst with a 41-year-old mother of two at a hotel room proved to be a costly affair.

The 53-year-old driver was detained together with the woman, who is still married, by the Malacca Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) in an operation early Monday.

The couple was shocked when enforcement officers came knocking on the door.

The woman, whose children are aged 11 and eight, claimed she was having marital problems and was pouring out her sorrows to the bus driver.

However, JAIM enforcement officer Noraminuddin Azis said the department is not buying her story and will charge the couple for committing khalwat (close proximity).

"We will open an investigation against both of them," he said.

Noraminuddin said 15 officers were involved in the operation in Alor Gajah and here.

"Seven couples were detained during the operation," he said.