Syariah caning different from civil caning: Jamil
Published on: Friday, March 24, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: Datuk Seri Dr Jamil Khir Baharom said caning under the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 is different from civil caning.The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the punishment under Syariah law had previously been meted out in Tawau, Sabah, where a couple was given six slashes each of the rotan immediately upon sentencing."They were publicly caned in front of Syariah Court officials and those from the civil court who came to witness the sentencing.
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"It was done in a manner where the person using the rotan cannot lift it to a point where a book placed under his arm falls off."This is how we do it in Malaysia," he said when winding up his ministerial reply on the motion of thanks to the Royal Address, Thursday.He said the couple who were caned, were fully clothed, adding that the punishment could be viewed on social media.Dr Jamil Khir said there was a lot of confusion and fear among Malaysians on how Syariah caning is meted out.
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"People are saying, are we going to the Taliban, Syrian or Iraqi style or are we going to follow a neighbouring country? The older generation thinks that caning will be what they have seen in old movies, such as Semerah Padi and Lancang Kuning," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Asked if the Government would table its own Bill or support PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Members Bill to amend Syariah laws, Dr Jamil Khir said it would depend on the Parliament Order Paper.
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He reiterated that making Syariah amendments was permitted by way of a Private Members Bill because it is provided under the Federal Constitution.