6 arrested in Malaysia over nudity in marriage course

At least four people were involved in ‘instances of undress’ at the event organised by a couple, according to Selangor police

Malaysian police have confirmed there was public nudity during a controversial marriage motivational programme that has raised an uproar in the Muslim-majority country.

“There were confirmed instances of undress involving at least four people,” Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said at a press conference on Wednesday, Harian Metro newspaper reported. “Investigations revealed that the nudity involved both facilitators and participants of the programme.”

Six people were arrested on Wednesday, including a married couple behind the event in Shah Alam and one of their children, for insult of modesty, as well as indecent and offensive behaviour, according to the Free Malaysia Today news portal.

The couple, Diyana Tahir and Rahim Shukor, are the founders of eHati, which offers corporate motivational and self-development courses, including the event last September that led to their arrest. They will be detained for three days to help with the investigations.

Some equipment and drinks served at the event were also seized in a raid on the founders’ house and have been sent to the police’s chemistry laboratory for analysis.

The participants came from all over the country.Hussein Omar Khan, Selangor police chief

Hussein said investigations revealed those who attended included professionals and civil servants, the New Straits Times newspaper reported. “The participants came from all over the country. One of them was traced and caught in Kedah.”

Investigators found that there were two packages offered for the programme, titled “Finding Happiness Again”. “Participants were charged 6,000 ringgit [US$1,400] for Package A and 9,000 ringgit for Package B,” Hussein said.

“Package B is believed to have concluded with the Queens Night segment … [which] was immoral and sexually explicit in nature. Activities included a session called ‘Rebirth’, which was claimed to boost self-motivation.”

Investigations into the matter have yet to lead to a discovery of photos or video footage of the event.

“Only women are believed to have taken part in the event, but police are still investigating if any men were involved,” he said.

Police have identified 50 – mostly married – who attended the programme. Hussein said 30 have been interviewed and urged the rest to come forward or face arrest, according to the Malay Mail newspaper.

“We already have the full list of participants,” he said. “There are still individuals, including public sector employees, who were involved and have yet to step forward. We will not hesitate to arrest them.”

Muslim authorities are looking into whether the event violated religious sensitivities or misused religious elements. However, the programme was open to all faiths, according to Hussein. “Not everyone who attended … was Muslim; individuals of other races were present as well,” he said.

The scandal came to light when a woman posted on social media on July 2 claiming that the motivational programme, organised by eHati between September 27 and September 30 last year, involved lewd activities.

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She also claimed participants were given a drink called “Piya”, which was allegedly spiked with a hallucinogenic substance to curb inhibition. The viral post has since been deleted.

Diyana and Rahim denied promoting obscene acts and insulting behaviour in a social media post on Tuesday, saying the activities were aligned with Islamic values.

“We are certified practitioners in the field of hypnotherapy, and every eHati programme is carefully designed in accordance with professional ethical standards and the cultural and religious values of society,” they said.

Addressing the specific allegations, they clarified: “Our massage techniques are adapted from pelvic floor massage and Thai massage, modified to suit local values and do not involve any religious rituals or elements from other faiths.

“The Piya drink is simply a mixture of raw cocoa, honey and natural spices to help relax the mind and body. It contains no illegal substances or ‘magic mushrooms’, as alleged.”