In a rare public spectacle, Mohd Affendi Awang, a 42-year-old carpenter, was caned under Sharia law in Terengganu, Malaysia. Convicted of the Islamic offense of khalwat, which involves being alone with a non-relative woman, he received six strokes at a mosque on December 27. Rights advocates condemned the act as “inhuman,” marking a troubling progression for a nation that prides itself on diversity amidst its multi-ethnic framework.
The case, notable for being only the second public caning since 2018, stirred controversy as the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) maintains control in Terengganu. Local officials claimed the caning adhered to guidelines designed to minimize physical harm, an assertion met with skepticism from human rights organizations who labeled the punishment as “degrading.”
Human rights leaders and the Malaysian Human Rights Commission expressed outrage, interpreting such punishment as a stark violation of both international law and Malaysian constitutional principles. Critics argue that public caning erodes the dignity of individuals, issuing a call for the repeal of laws that condone such treatment.
An audience of 90, including authorities and media, witnessed the caning, which took place under highly controlled conditions. Witnesses noted the carpenter’s composed demeanor as he was led into the mosque, where he underwent a brief health check before the caning commenced without visible reaction.
While reactions varied within the community, some residents supported the punishment as a necessary deterrent against recurring offenses. This incident recalls similar occurrences, particularly the public caning of two women in 2018, which also ignited criticism but was rationalized by PAS as a lawful enforcement of Islamic morals. Terengganu remains a bastion for PAS, reflecting the party’s consolidation of power and its impact on local Sharia law enforcement.
Mohd Affendi Awang was publicly caned in Terengganu for violations of Sharia law, prompting significant backlash from human rights advocates. The event marked only the second public caning since 2018, drawing mixed public reactions, with many condemning it as degrading. The incident raises enduring questions on the balance between local laws and international human rights.
The public caning of Mohd Affendi Awang has reignited debates over human rights and Sharia law in Malaysia. While some citizens view it as upholding Islamic morals, many advocates criticize such measures as cruel and derogatory. This incident serves as a reminder of the tension between traditional practices and contemporary human rights standards within a diverse society.
The article addresses the contentious issue of public caning in Malaysia, specifically under the Sharia law framework. Sharia law governs certain social behaviors, such as khalwat, the act of being alone with a non-relative of the opposite sex. This incident reveals the stark cultural and legal divides within a country that balances multiple ethnicities and faiths. The public caning reflects the ongoing debate surrounding human rights, dignity, and the enforcement of religious laws, particularly in states controlled by the conservative PAS party.
Original Source: www.benarnews.org
