The women — Zhang Na, 25, and Wang Han, 37 — admitted in front of Magistrate Cindy McJuce Balitus to committing indecent behaviour in a public place by dancing on the perimeter wall of the mosque at 4.30pm last Saturday.

The duo, who are dance teachers, were earlier picked up by city police at a hotel in town at 11am today following a police report lodged by Sabah Islamic Consolidation Organisation (PPIS) head Nani Sakam on Sunday.

Nani filed the complaint after the video clip of the women went viral on social media, pointing out the act of dressing and dancing indecently at the city mosque touched on the sensitivities of the Muslim community, especially Sabahans.

The women were later produced in court to face a charge under Section 15 of the Minor Offences Ordinance. An interpreter read the charge to them.

It provides for a RM25 fine, or up to 14 days’ jail, and, on a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of RM50 and three months’ jail, on conviction.

The Chinese nationals, who were unrepresented, requested for a minimum fine as they were scheduled to fly home later today.

They paid the RM25 fine and were later escorted to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport to board the flight to China.

Meanwhile, city police chief ACP M Chandra said police had also notified the Chinese consul-general here about the detention of their nationals.

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