Three women caned under syariah law (Updated)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
mazwin@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: Three Muslim women became the first in the country to be caned for committing syariah offences.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the three were found guilty of having illicit sex and had the caning sentence meted out to them on Feb 9 at 10am at the Kajang Prison.
He said two of the women were given six strokes of the rotan while the third was whipped four times.
The trio were found guilty of committing illicit sex under Section 23 (2) of the Federal Territory Syariah Criminal Act 1997. The Federal Territory Syariah High Court had issued the caning order between December last year and January 2010.
Hishammuddin said one of the women was released on Feb 14 after spending a month in prison and another was expected to be released over the next few days.
The third woman was currently serving her jail term and would be released in June, he said.
“Based on interviews with the three women after the sentences were carried out, they did not suffer from any cuts or bruises on their bodies.
“But they said that the caning sentence had a deep impact on them because they feel sorry for committing these wrongdoings and have since repented,” he claimed.
“These women hope that other Muslims would shy away from doing things that are prohibited by the religion,” he told a press conference after his ministry’s post-cabinet meeting Wednesday.
Hishammuddin said the reason why the caning of the three Muslim women was brought to public attention was because “so much hype” has been created over the caning order imposed on part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for consuming alcohol in public.
“People are saying that no woman has been caned before and that Kartika should not be caned. Today I am announcing that we have already done it (caned women). There is no hidden agenda but we are merely executing our responsibility and we did it according to the law,” he said.
On July 20 last year, Kartika was fined RM5,000 and ordered to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court after she pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol in public. She is expected to undergo her caning sentence after her audience with the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Hishammuddin said the Prisons Department had taken necessary steps to ensure that caning sentences could be meted out on Muslim women offenders, adding that he had directed the department’s director-general to consult with experts from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Syariah Department and the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the matter.
He said a meeting between the relevant authorities was held on Dept 4 last year where they had agreed on the procedure for such caning, which would follow syariah requirements.
This includes examination checks before and after the caning was meted out, ensuring the woman is not pregnant and is appropriately attired according to the Muslim dress code, and the offender’s position when she is caned.
The minister said when the caning was executed, 13 people, including officials from the Federal Territory Religious Department, Jakim, the Syariah Court, the AG’s Chambers and his (Hishammuddin’s) officer were present.
“I hope there will be no more issue arising from caning sentences which the Syariah court can impose on Muslim women, so much so that it can affect the sanctity of Islam.
“The punishment is aimed at getting the offenders to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness. It is also meant to educate Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam,” he said.
mazwin@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: Three Muslim women became the first in the country to be caned for committing syariah offences.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the three were found guilty of having illicit sex and had the caning sentence meted out to them on Feb 9 at 10am at the Kajang Prison.
He said two of the women were given six strokes of the rotan while the third was whipped four times.
The trio were found guilty of committing illicit sex under Section 23 (2) of the Federal Territory Syariah Criminal Act 1997. The Federal Territory Syariah High Court had issued the caning order between December last year and January 2010.
Hishammuddin said one of the women was released on Feb 14 after spending a month in prison and another was expected to be released over the next few days.
The third woman was currently serving her jail term and would be released in June, he said.
“Based on interviews with the three women after the sentences were carried out, they did not suffer from any cuts or bruises on their bodies.
“But they said that the caning sentence had a deep impact on them because they feel sorry for committing these wrongdoings and have since repented,” he claimed.
“These women hope that other Muslims would shy away from doing things that are prohibited by the religion,” he told a press conference after his ministry’s post-cabinet meeting Wednesday.
Hishammuddin said the reason why the caning of the three Muslim women was brought to public attention was because “so much hype” has been created over the caning order imposed on part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for consuming alcohol in public.
“People are saying that no woman has been caned before and that Kartika should not be caned. Today I am announcing that we have already done it (caned women). There is no hidden agenda but we are merely executing our responsibility and we did it according to the law,” he said.
On July 20 last year, Kartika was fined RM5,000 and ordered to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court after she pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol in public. She is expected to undergo her caning sentence after her audience with the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Hishammuddin said the Prisons Department had taken necessary steps to ensure that caning sentences could be meted out on Muslim women offenders, adding that he had directed the department’s director-general to consult with experts from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Syariah Department and the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the matter.
He said a meeting between the relevant authorities was held on Dept 4 last year where they had agreed on the procedure for such caning, which would follow syariah requirements.
This includes examination checks before and after the caning was meted out, ensuring the woman is not pregnant and is appropriately attired according to the Muslim dress code, and the offender’s position when she is caned.
The minister said when the caning was executed, 13 people, including officials from the Federal Territory Religious Department, Jakim, the Syariah Court, the AG’s Chambers and his (Hishammuddin’s) officer were present.
“I hope there will be no more issue arising from caning sentences which the Syariah court can impose on Muslim women, so much so that it can affect the sanctity of Islam.
“The punishment is aimed at getting the offenders to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness. It is also meant to educate Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam,” he said.
Source: The Star
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