‘DON’T POLITICISE CANING DECISION’
Public must respect Kelantan syariah law amendments, says deputy minister
THE state government’s move to amend the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 to allow public caning should not be politicised.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki said instead of criticising the move, the people, especially Muslims, must respect the decision as it was agreed to by the majority of assemblymen, at the state assembly sitting on Wednesday.
“This enactment allows syariah offenders to be caned in public. All parties must understand the move taken by the state government.
“Therefore, it is not right for certain quarters to politicise the issue,” he said after attending an ECER Empower programme at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, here, yesterday.
Asyraf said the amendments, which were passed in the state assembly sitting, would not undermine the Federal Constitution as it would only apply at the syariah court under the jurisdiction of the state government.
On Wednesday, the Kelantan state assembly passed amendments to the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002, which allows public caning for four syariah offences — zina, false accusation of zina, sodomy and alcohol consumption.
State Dakwah, Information and Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Nassuruddin Daud reportedly said under the amendments, perpetrators could be handcuffed while video and other electronic evidence could be accepted during trial.
Nassuruddin also said on Thursday that public caning would most likely be enforced at the end of the year.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said it was the state government’s right to pass the amendments and no one should argue against the move.
However, he said the state government must hold further discussions on the issue to prevent problems arising from the move.
He said this after opening the Pengkalan Chepa Wanita Umno divisional meeting in Kota Baru.