‘Caning should be done the Islamic way’

if it is passed by Parliament.

“All 33 clauses in the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 Bill have been amended to streamline penalties such as caning, fines and other technical processes.

“For example, the caning penalty can be implemented inside or outside the prison depending on the decision of the court. It is in accordance with religious requirements (regarding caning) because syariah punishment must be executed in public,” he said.

In Petaling Jaya, Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman said the execution of public caning has to be done strictly based on Islamic laws, reports AMAR SHAH MOHSEN.

“It has to be an Islamic caning, and not the usual ones carried out in normal prisons. The ones allowed under Islam must not cause injury or harm to the offenders, but is just meant to be a lesson to the wrongdoers and others,” he told theSun.

Abdul Rahman said he was open to other states following in Kelantan’s footsteps and implementing public caning for syariah law offenders, as long as it is approved by the relevant quarters, and not contradictory to the Federal Constitution.

“If you want to do it, make sure it conforms with Islamic laws and the Constitution. They still have to get approval from the sultan and other relevant quarters,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bar Council Human Rights Committee co-chairman Andrew Khoo described the latest development in Kelantan as regressive and not in conformity with the accepted laws and norms of international human rights.

“Malaysia should be thinking of acceding to the convention against torture, including prohibiting inhumane and degrading treatment ... and the carrying out of caning in public clearly constitutes this,” he said when contacted.

Khoo said he foresees strong voices against public caning, saying the objective of sentencing is reforming offenders and putting them to public shame is not the way.

He said the bill does not require the approval of Parliament as it had nothing to do with the level of punishment, and as such, is within the purview of the states.