The appended report was on the front page of the national broadsheet, the New Straits Times .

Please read this report carefully and then ponder whether this is the kind of punishment a civilised nation should impose on its own citizens as well as on hapless foreigners.

  • His (the flogger's) job is to swing the cane at a minimum speed of 160 kph and inflict maximum pain ...

  • ... even the most hardened gangsters cried out in pain after the third stroke and those made of lesser stuff soiled their pants after the first slash.

  • ... he (the flogger) was taught how to swing the 1.09m cane at a minimum speed of 160 kph and produce a force upon impact of at least 90kg.

  • Before he (the flogger) canes a prisoner, he dons a surgical mask to protect his identity and also to prevent bits of skin and flesh from flying at his face.

  • The veteran prison officer said a person could only be whipped a maximum of 24 strokes at any one time.

  • However, a smaller rotan, about half the size of the standard rotan, will be used on those convicted of white collar crimes.

  • For every stroke delivered, the flogger is paid RM3. 'This is justified as they (the floggers) suffer from the stress of whipping these prisoners'.

    • I am extremely troubled that in this day and age, we still resort to such primitive, appallingly cruel punishment which is no less than state-sanctioned violence against human beings.

    Such treatment would be unacceptable if applied to dogs or cattle, what more to human beings.

    And do note that whipping is not prescribed only for violent crimes. Those convicted of crimes where no violence was used, e.g. illegally overstaying, fraud etc, are also liable for such punishment.

    The incidence of crime is a function of effective enforcement of the law and effective education of the youth. Nowhere has it ever be proven that cruel and inhumane punishment deters crime.

    Our criminal justice system is by no means fool-proof. Magistrates and judges routinely misinterpret the law and exceed their authority, remand prisoners are routinely maltreated and forced to confess to crimes and accused persons are routinely convicted without legal representation.

    Coupled with the fact that most cases are decided by a single judge without the moderation and balanced assessment of a jury, one can only guess at the incidence of wrongful convictions and punishment inflicted by the system.

    I appeal to every person who is moved by my arguments to do all they can to bring an end to this form of violent and inhumane punishment.