SINGAPORE: Two immigrants were sentenced to a fine of RM5, 000 ( US$ 1, 168 ) each after they pleaded guilty to dressing inappropriately at a Johor charity work which sparked controversy over reports of “indecent” attitude.
The Johor Regent criticized their actions, and the work was also criticized for taking location without recognized consent.  ,
Arthur Wang and Satyanarayana Prasad Papoli, aged 66 and 70 both pleaded guilty on Monday ( Oct 7 ) to committing the offence.
The jury speaker read the costs to them in Mandarin to Wang from Taiwan and English to Satyanarayana from India.
Wang, who is a resident and advocate, pleaded guilty to committing the offence between 4pm and 6pm in Jalan Utama Jalan Desaru, Pengerang.
For committing obscene acts in public, both of them were charged under Section 294( a ) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of three months in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Wang filed an appeal for a pardon on the grounds that he had no idea how to interpret the country’s culture and was not comfortable with it.
He added that he claimed to wear it to advertise that culture and that the dress he wore was typical of the native people of” Orchid Island” in Taiwan.
His thighs were reportedly visible while he was running in the competition.  ,
He apologised to the Malaysian authorities and the people of Malaysia for the offending the country’s citizens and said he would never commit another act.
Satyanarayana, a previous lawyer, even apologised and requested for the good to get reduced on the grounds that he is now 70, has a woman, who works as a physician, and came here to participate in a donation program.
Pengerang Municipal Council ( MPP ) confirmed that the Desaru Hash Red Dress run had not received its approval in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday ( October 5 ). The government added that the event was no coordinated by any state agency or the state government.
We do not permit any organizations to hold events that violate Islam’s sensibilities in its managerial area, and event organizers may apply and get permission from the authorities to prevent this from happening again, according to the statement.
The state government, which oversees the Kota Tinggi city in southern Johor where the event took place, also emphasized that breaches of laws, such as holding activities without permission, may be treated in accordance with the Local Government Act of 1976 and other relevant bylaws.  ,
Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor’s chief minister, had previously made similar statements in his Facebook post, which MPP reiterated.  ,
According to Mr. Onn, the organiser stated on Saturday that the event “did not represent the intended goal of the event and was beyond their control.”  ,
The condition government, he added, may take firm action against any group that organises activities threatening the cooperation and independence of Islam, or tarnishing Johor’s picture.
We will not tolerate any activities that compromise the state’s harmony or violate the Islamic holy law. He argued that this situation should not be prolonged because it could threaten Johor’s peace and stability.
Johor’s regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim or Tunku Mahkota Johor ( TMJ) also weighed in on the incident.  ,
” Action has been taken, and the culprits have been arrested. Zero tolerance in Johor”, he posted on X on Sunday.  ,
Around 10pm, Wang and Satyanarayana were detained at a hotel on Saturday for suspected lewd and inappropriate behavior during the race, along with another local participant.  ,
However, they were not the only ones to forego traditional sportswear.  ,
While many runners chose to wear lingerie and sarees, others chose to do so during the event.
Over the weekend from October 4 through October 6, 2, 000 people from 30 nations took part in the Johor Bahru Hash House Harriers run that was held at the Lotus Desaru Hotel in Bandar Penawar, Desaru.  ,
One participant was spotted sporting only a traditional Iban outfit, the Kelambi, which revealed that he was shirtless and left his back exposed.
Johor Police Chief M Kumar said that the police confiscated a red saree, a red skirt, silver cardboard cutouts, and a silver replica spear.  ,
The run faced criticism after images and video clips from the event went viral on social media, and Mr. Onn ordered an investigation.  ,
The viral footage captured some of the male participants wearing rainbow socks and cross-dressing, which were thought to be an endorsement of LGBT culture. LGBT activities are rejected in Malaysia.  ,
” This activity will never appear in my books.” Do not do it here. Never”. a X user who criticized the event said.
The post has since garnered over 1, 200 reposts.  ,
The charity run was intended to raise money for the Spastic Children’s Association of Johor, according to Mr. A. Magendran, the president of Johor Bahru Hash House Harriers.
RM10, 000 has been raised for the event, according to another local news outlet, the Malay Mail.  ,
” We have informed all participants of the necessity of proper etiquette as this was supposed to be a fun and social event as families also participated,” he said, acknowledging that the event had been ruined by the insensitive behavior of a few people.
Mr. Onn Hafiz hopes the conversation will not drag on for too long, while the police urge the public to refrain from spreading false information and speculating.  ,