PAS cleric urges other states to implement public caning

Summary

• PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin says other states should follow Terengganu’s example to implement public caning for syariah offenders.

• The PAS-led Perlis government has yet to discuss the public caning suggestion.

States, particularly those governed by PAS, should prepare to follow Terengganu’s example and publicly cane syariah offenders, said a senior party leader.

Utusan Malaysia quoted PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin who congratulated the Terengganu state government and urged other states to also implement what he described as commandments of Allah SWT.

The former Perlis PAS commissioner reportedly said that public caning is just the beginning, and by adhering to divine revelations in implementing Islamic law, blessings will be bestowed.

“This public caning punishment is neither cruel nor humiliating but serves to raise awareness, not only for the offender but also for the public witnessing the punishment.

“Furthermore, in accordance with Islamic principles, the purpose is to educate, not to torture, as the punishment is not harmful, and after it is carried out, the offender is free.

“When society observes the punishment, they will reflect and gain awareness, which can deter them from committing similar offences. I believe other states, not just those governed by PAS, should prepare for this (public caning),” he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.

According to Utusan, the Perlis state government has not held discussions on implementing such punishments.

Yesterday, a repeat syariah offender became the first person to undergo his caning sentence in public at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque hall, in Kuala Terengganu.

Mohd Affendi Awang, 42, a widower, was sentenced to six strokes of the cane after his third khalwat (close proximity) conviction for being in seclusion with another person of the opposite gender.

Affendi pled guilty to the charge under Section 31(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offenses (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment Amendment 2022.

In addition to Terengganu, states governed by PAS or the Perikatan Nasional coalition include Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.

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