The Social Welfare Department has interviewed the family of the single mother who was found guilty of prostitution by the Terengganu Syariah High Court on Sept 27, to ensure the welfare of her children.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development said it was not her intention to interfere in the affairs of the syariah court.

"However, the welfare of women and children is my priority,” she said in a statement today.

Dr Wan Azizah said the social welfare department found that the 30-year-old woman, who has two children, had applied for aid in 2016 but had her application rejected because she had given her eldest child to her elder sister. Her second child was given away for adoption last year.

The woman was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and six lashes after she admitted to the charge of offering sexual services to a man.

Saying that what happened had saddened her deeply, Dr Wan Azizah however pointed out that: “We respect the decision of the syariah court and agree that the offender for every crime must be punished.”

She subsequently said that it was important to portray that Islam was not a cruel religion and did not impose heavy penalties or bring shame upon anyone.

– Bernama