The Lower Syariah Court in George Town today set July 26 for the hearing of the khalwat case against Youth and Sports Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic) Salim Parlan and his companion, Nur Diayana Norslan.

Syariah Judge Nik Bukhari Hashimy Nik Yahaya denied defence cousel Wan Faridulhadi Mohd Yusoff’s application for a remention of the case while awaiting the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court’s verdict on consent for polygamy and confirmation of marriage in South Thailand.   

But lead syariah prosecutor Mohd Zulkhairi Aziz objected, saying that the case could not be delayed while waiting for the earlier application.

On April 19, Salim, 51, and Nur Diayana, 30 pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing khalwat at a hotel room in Batu Ferringhi.

Salim, who was also a former deputy director-general of the Road Transport Department, was charged under Section 27(a) of the Penang Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1996 while Nur Diyana was charged under Section 27(b) of the same act.

- Bernama