[Criminal Law] Is Adultery a Criminal Offense If My Partner Cheated on Me?
Is Adultery a Criminal Offense If My Partner Cheated on Me?
It depends on whether the person involved is Muslim or non-Muslim.
For Muslims: extramarital affairs and adultery are illegal.
For non-Muslims: adultery is not a criminal offense and only carries civil liability.
The only criminal offense related to adultery is found in Section 498 of the Penal Code, which deems it illegal to “entice a married woman.”
If convicted, the offender may face imprisonment for two years or a fine, or both.
What can be done if the partner commits adultery?
If the male partner commits adultery, the wife may file for divorce and name her husband and his mistress as defendants in the case, seeking monetary compensation of up to RM100,000.
However, to sue for adultery, sufficient evidence must be collected.