The Sarawak government is considering amending the Syariah Criminal Offences Ordinance 2001 to provide for a heavier penalty for Muslims caught not fasting in the month of Ramadan in view of the rising number of people arrested for the offence over the years.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office, Daud Abdul Rahman, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, said today the state government could look into also imposing community service as a punishment for the offenders.

"We have just completed the second day of Ramadan but 25 people have been arrested so far by the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department," he told reporters after presenting Sarawak Baitulmal Fund aid of RM51,286 to 35 people in Kuching.

Daud, who is also Sarawak Baitulmal and Endowment Authority chairman, said the state government was also considering revealing the identity of those found guilty of the offence in the mass media to serve as a lesson to the offenders and as a deterrent to others.

Section 14 of the ordinance provides for a fine of up to RM1,000 or a jail term of up to six months for the first offence, or both, and a fine of up to RM2,000 or a jail term of up to a year, or both, for subsequent offences.

- Bernama