Terengganu Amanah is supporting the execution of the punishment against two women who pleaded guilty to attempting same-sex relations.

Its communications director Mohd Hasbie Muda said the punishment meted out at the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court this morning has drawn much attention since it was the first time the punishment was carried out in public.

“Terengganu Amanah is of the view that such punishments are necessary to curtail the spread of homosexual intercourse and to prevent it from becoming widespread in the state.

“We hope no one would politicise this issue since it is already stipulated in the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier, the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court sentenced two women to six strokes of the cane for attempting same-sex relations in a car at Dataran Arena Square, Dungun, at about 1.50pm on April 8.

Sharie judge Kamalruazmi Ismail said at the beginning of proceedings that the punishment is meant to be a lesson and not meant to hurt.

The two women were also fined RM3,300 each, or four months’ imprisonment in default.

They were charged under Section 30 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001, read together with Section 59(1) of the same enactment.

The duo did not appeal the sentence within the 14-day appeal period.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Pakatan Harapan chief Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah condemned false claims that the state Harapan chapter opposes the punishment from being carried out.

According to Kamarul, a statement dated Aug 3 had been circulating on social media platforms claiming that the Harapan-led federal government recognises LGBT in the country.

“As stated by the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in last week’s Dewan Negara sitting, the government has never recognised this group, what more their right to do forbidden acts.

“Terengganu Harapan abides by and does not oppose any punishment required by Islam since it is already provided in law.

“However, we regret that it has been politicised by certain parties to portray as though Harapan opposes it (the caning) from being carried out.

“So, stop this politics of hate and slander,” he told Malaysiakini.