The Kelantan state government has warned non-Muslim political parties against meddling in Islamic affairs, particularly in the state's decision to impose public whipping for syariah offenders. 

State Islamic Development and Propagation, Information and Liaison Committee chairperson Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said MCA, Gerakan and DAP, which had questioned the punishment, have no right to talk about matters related to Islamic affairs.

"The (syariah) law and the punishment has nothing to do with them (non-Muslims). They should not be commenting without understanding.

"They (non-Muslims) should conduct a research on Islam first before releasing statements," Nassuruddin was quoted saying in Utusan Malaysia.

On July 12, the Kelantan state government passed the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 (Amendment 2017) Bill, which among others, allows public whipping for syariah offenders.

MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Ti Lian Ker said the amendment was unconstitutional and detrimental to the country's legal system, and that PAS was trying to gain political mileage in the run-up to the next general election by trying to appease the Muslim electorate.

Zaid Ibrahim of DAP had said the move by PAS was a “desperate bid to win votes” in Kelantan.

Nassuruddin, in rubbishing such statements, said PAS has always championed Islamic laws, and not only during election season.

"Since 2015, we have met more than 14 times with syariah judges, mufti and Islamic law experts. Was 2015 close to general elections?" he asked.