New rules are now being implemented that could see an unrelated man and woman pardoned for being caught in the same car. These rules include not resisting the authorities; for the man and woman to have no previous record; the nonexistence of preludes (such as flirting) for an immoral act by the arrested man and woman in a public place; and that the man and woman should not have been arrested in a secluded place. The Commission for Investigation and Prosecution (CIP) has started implementing the rules for dealing with those accused in such cases, including those arrested by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a). However, the CIP said that those caught could be held in police custody for 24 hours, up to no more than five days. Informed sources said that the rules were drafted by the Morals Bureau of the CIP and have now come into effect. Under the rules a car is considered to be a semi-public place. In another development, the Hai'a launched Sunday a wireless telecommunication service at its field centers. The technology will serve field supervisors and link them directly with their superiors. This is expected to contribute to accuracy in carrying out work and enable Hai'a field staffers to receive instant guidance and directives on how to deal with situations.
