Kelantan whips up a storm

Kelantan moves closer to allowing public caning of offenders with the unanimous passing of an amended Syariah Bill at the state legislative assembly. This has drawn disapproval from political parties and various other groups nationwide.

• State says public caning can be carried out after amendments are gazetted.

• Bill part of procedure to implement Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

• Punishment not applicable to non-Muslims.

• Amendments also empower religious enforcement officers to handcuff suspects and make community service a form of punishment.

‘Caning can now be carried out inside prison or outside prison, depending on court decision.’ – Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah

‘The Kelantan State Legislative Assembly knows very well that the amendments to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 will not see the light of day.’ – Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman

‘We will not simply do it in public, such as a field, as what is being pictured by certain quarters.’

– Mumtaz Md Nawi, Kelantan Women, Family and Welfare Committee chairman ‘All PAS is interested in is punishment, punishment, and more punishment.’ – Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin of G25

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan State Legislative Assembly has passed an amended Syariah Bill that provides for public caning for offenders, among other things.

Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the amendments were in accordance with Islamic law, which allows for the punishment as a deterrent.

He said that previously, such caning was done in the prison but with the amendments, whipping could be carried out in public or in the prison, depending on the court’s decision.

The Bill is part of the procedure to implement the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or RUU 355 if it is approved by Parliament, he said.

“All the 33 clauses in the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 Bill have been amended to streamline penalties such as whipping, fines and some technical processes,” he said.

State Islamic Development Committee chairman Datuk Nassuruddin Daud tabled the amendments.

He said public caning can be car- ried out in the state after the amendments are gazetted (but only according to the existing penalties).

The ruling is not applicable to non-Muslims, he stressed.

He said they were now identifying suitable venues where public caning could be carried out to be gazetted.

The maximum length and diameter allowed for the cane that will be used are 1.22m and 1.25cm respectively.

These amendments also empower religious enforcement officers to handcuff suspects, allow video clips to be used as evidence in trials and make community service a form of punishment.

When tabling the amendments, Nassuruddin (PAS-Meranti) said they were overdue since the enactment is 15 years old.

Women, Family and Welfare Committee chairman Mumtaz Md Nawi (PAS-Demit) seconded the proposal.

Speaker Datuk Abdullah Yaa’kub said later that the Bill was passed with the unanimous support of the state assemblymen present.