Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman said his state will consider the implementation of public caning as a form of punishment for Muslims if it is proven to be successful in Kelantan.

He said this in response to the Kelantan state assembly passing the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 (Amendment 2017) Bill on Wednesday, which will, among others, allow for public caning as a punishment.

"We will discuss it first. Perhaps, in future, after observing the developments in Kelantan on whether it is effective or not, then perhaps it can be (implemented in Pahang).

"If it has a big impact and can stop Muslims from gambling and make them become better people," Rahman told Malaysiakini when asked about the possibility of Pahang following Kelantan's example.

Several states, including Pahang and Kelantan, already have caning as a punishment for syariah offences such as consuming, selling or buying alcohol.

The amendment by the Kelantan state assembly allows the punishment to be carried out in public for the first time.

Meanwhile, Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said the manner in which caning for syariah offences is carried out varies according to the states.

"It is up to Kelantan, because the majority there agree to it.

"But in the context of other states, they may have a different stance due to their demography," Wan Salim told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Penang is the only state in Peninsular Malaysia where Malays comprise less than half of the population.

The existing syariah law in Penang also provides for caning, but it is limited to the more serious offences, such as incest and prostitution.