PENGERANG: Organisers of a fun run that has since courted controversy, did not obtain approval from the Pengerang Municipal Council (MPP) for the event.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the council also said the event was not organised by the state government or any state agency, as previously stated by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
MPP also stated that any offence, including organising activities without a permit, will be enforced by MPP under the Local Government Act 1976 and applicable by-laws.
"MPP will never permit any party to organise events that do not protect the sensitivity of Islam in its administrative area.
"Any programs must apply for and obtain approval from the local authority to ensure that incidents like this do not happen again," read the statement.
Earlier, Datuk A. Magendran, organising chairman for the Desaru Hash Red Dress Run, said the event was to raise funds for the Spastic Children's Association of Johor.
He said the event was among five different runs planned from Oct 4 to 6 involving some 2,000 participants from 30 countries.
"We have informed all participants of the need to maintain proper etiquette. This was supposed to be a fun and social event as families also participated," he said, adding that the indecent behaviour of a few had unfortunately marred the event.
A video of the event also went viral.
On Saturday (Oct 5) night, three participants, including those from India and Taiwan, were arrested after alleged indecent behaviour during the run on Friday (Oct 4).
Magendran added that the organisers, who raised about RM10,100, regretted the incident and would assist any police investigation.
He added that the pictures circulating on social media were taken during the 3.5km run in Desaru.
He added that the organisers have ensured members adhere to rules and regulations for the remaining 8km individual runs in Desa Cemerlang, Sg Tiram, Kulai and Desa Tebrau.
"All other events went on smoothly without any hiccups. We have been planning for this event for almost two years," said Magendran, who is also JB Hash House Harriers president.
He added that this was the first time Malaysia was picked to host a Pan Asia Hash run.
The previous run was held in Indonesia two years ago.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said that police arrested three men, including two foreigners, for allegedly committing indecent behaviour during an event in Kota Tinggi.
"Police also seized several accessories from the suspects including a red sari, a red skirt, three silver-coloured cardboards with a fake spear shaft," he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 6).
Comm Kumar added that the three suspects tested negative for drugs and had no prior criminal records.
Comm Kumar also added that the case was classified under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 294 of the Penal Code.
In a post on X later on Sunday, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said the state has no tolerance for those who break the law.
"Action has been taken and the culprits have been arrested. Zero tolerance in Johor," he posted.
