Kelantan women laud punishment
KOTA BARU: Many Kelantan women have welcomed the punishment meted out on a lesbian couple, aged 22 and 32, in Terengganu.
The Dungun couple each received six strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty under Section 30 of the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (Takzir) (Terengganu) 2001, read with Section 59(1) of the same enactment to musahaqah (sex between two women).
Those interviewed said besides serving as a lesson for lesbians, punishment would open the public’s eyes to the country’s enforcement of its religious laws.
Nurul Naiesha Azhan, 25, said the punishment would strike fear in other lesbian couples and stop them from continuing with their “immoral” behaviour.
“The religious authorities in other states should follow the example set by the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court so that other lesbian couples will fear punishment if they commit such immoral acts,” she said.
Saleswoman Nor Ain Ibrahim, 25, said she did not know that lesbian couples were punished that way.
“I just realised that there are such sentences for lesbian couples,” she said.
“For me, the punishment must be carried out as a lesson to other such couples. I hope the Kelantan religious authorities will follow Terengganu’s move.”
Housewife Ardila Sharinni Wahid, 30, said she hoped lesbian couples would return to the path of God.
“With such punishment carried out, the world will see Malaysia as a country that is strict in enforcing punishment for Muslim offenders,” said the mother of four.
“This will not only reflect the country’s good Islamic image, but also will boost Malaysia’s reputation in other Muslim countries.”