Yesterday (Wednesday, 12th July), it was announced that criminals in Kelantan can now be caned in public following an amendment to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002.
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)-led state is the first in Malaysia to introduce public caning for Muslims by Islamic courts.
Although canings under the Syariah law usually takes place in enclosed areas such as prisons, PAS has been pushing for a more severe Islamic criminal code, known as hudud. It includes punishments such as amputations for theft and stoning to death for adultery.
“However, with the amendment, the sentencing can be carried out in public or prison depending on the court’s decision. This is in accordance with the religion, as in Islam the sentencing must be done in public,” Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah was quoted as saying.
These amendments will allow religious enforcement officers to use thicker canes and the acceptance of videos and other electronic equipment as evidence in court trials.
Although this ruling doesn’t apply to non-Muslims, other parties have spoken out against PAS. “PAS is setting a very dangerous trend of riding rough over the laws of the land by disregarding the federal constitution as the supreme law of the land,” said Malaysian Chinese Association chairman Ti Lian Ker in a statement.
What do y’all think about the implementation of public caning? Is it justified?
Sources: Channel News Asia, The Star/ Featured image: AFP.
