KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia — A sharia court in Terengganu, a state in northern Malaysia, has drawn severe criticism, with some accusing it of adopting Taliban-like enforcement methods, following its recent decision to sentence a 42-year-old father of five to caning. This marks the first instance in the state where punishment will be administered for being in close proximity with a woman who is not his wife.
The man, who works in construction, was reportedly caught on three different occasions participating in what is locally known as ‘khalwat’, or close proximity between unmarried couples. Following these incidents, the court mandated a sentence of six lashes, a punishment aligned with the state’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Historically, the state of Terengganu has been known for its conservative stance on religious matters. Since 2018, it has been governed by the Islamist party PAS, which has vigorously advocated for the elevation of Islamic law to a status equal to that of civil law within the state’s legal framework.
This forthcoming caning is also set to be the first such punishment carried out publicly in Terengganu, signaling a stark enforcement of sharia law under PAS’s administration. State executive councillor Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi defended the action, noting that it aligns with Islamic principles and supports the state government’s policy of strengthening Islamic jurisprudence.
“We will continue to move forward to empower sharia [law] in the state of Terengganu,” Muhammad Khalil emphasised, underscoring a committed push towards embedding religious law more firmly within the local governance system.
This move, however, has sparked a debate about the balance between religious law enforcement and individual rights, drawing concerns from human rights advocates who stress the need for moderation and respect for personal freedom under the cloak of religious observance.
As this issue unfolds, the international community watches keenly, marking it as a significant indication of the prevailing winds of legal and cultural enforcement in Malaysia – a country marked by its diverse ethnic and religious makeup.
The ingrained ethos of the PAS party in reinforcing a strict interpretation of sharia is highlighted with this decision, demonstrating its broader agenda to integrate these principles more deeply into the everyday governance and judicial process of the state.
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