As stated by the head of the human rights group "Suaram", Cynthia Gabriel, "this is ridiculous". "We are a developing society, and there is nothing wrong with showing mutual attraction in this way," she added. However, as part of a campaign to establish moral purity in the city, about 30 unmarried couples have already been fined.
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, but freedom of conscience is permitted to all non-Muslims. As reported by DELFI, none of those fined were Muslims.