Home Civil Society Voices Another woman to be caned: Terengganu sentence voids compassion

Another woman to be caned: Terengganu sentence voids compassion

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Sisters in Islam is outraged that the whipping sentence has again been meted out on a woman by the Kuala Terengganu Sharia High Court today.

We are disappointed that civil society organisations’ call for a moratorium on corporal punishment has fallen on deaf ears, and that the federal government has not taken any action to prevent the normalisation of such a cruel form of punishment in Malaysia.

The woman was sentenced to six lashes and six months in prison under Section 25 of the Sharia Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001, which states that any woman who does an act preparatory to prostitute herself shall be guilty of an offence. As a first-time offender who pleaded guilty, normal sentencing guidelines dictate that she should not have been given the maximum punishment.

According to media reports, the woman who is a single mother had not received any financial support from her ex-husband and was therefore unable to support her daughter. The zeal with which the punishment was meted out ignores these circumstances that previously would have mitigated sentencing.

Where is the compassion that lies at the heart of Islamic teachings? It is mentioned in the Qur’an (16:125), “Invite all to the way of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and reason with them in the ways that are best and most gracious.”

Any laws passed under the name of Islam must take into account the most fundamental teachings of the Qur’an based on justice and mercy and the right to preserve human dignity. Even in the verses regarding punishment in the Qur’an (5: 38-39 and 5:33-34), God stressed the qualities of mercy and forgiveness.

READ MORE:  Public caning: Reject cruelty and restore human dignity

What is guiding the Kuala Terengganu Sharia High Court judges’ sudden escalation in handing down the maximum punishment?

Proponents of whipping claim that it is done with the intention of educating, and that it does not cause harm. Today’s case clearly demonstrates that the humiliation experienced by women before, during and after the whipping is not considered a relevant factor of their pain, when in fact humiliation is a key aspect of the punishment and causes lasting psychological trauma.

We strongly reiterate that whipping does little, if anything at all, to “educate.” In fact, such a punishment, which is void of compassion and mercy, only tarnishes Islam and reinforces Islamophobic stereotypes that Islam discriminates against women.

We also cannot overlook the fact that there were two people who were arrested; the man who solicited was later released without being charged. Because Section 25 explicitly targets only women as prostitutes, women are disproportionately vulnerable to and affected by this law.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
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Soakkoon Wong
28 Sep 2018 10.17am

All great religions teach compassion. Where has it gone? The poor woman may have had no choice. Punitive punishments like this is inhuman.

Lim Kooi Choong
27 Sep 2018 10.13pm

The husband is to be responsible. She needs to feed her child and parents. Why no compassion for her?
What Wan Azizah is saying?

Daniel Chan
27 Sep 2018 9.09pm

Whilst statutory rapists gets unpunished

Julian NG
27 Sep 2018 7.44pm

How many strokes for irresponsible husband ?

Eddie Tom
27 Sep 2018 7.25pm

Moron voted for morons.
What you ask is what you get.

Gerrie Teng
27 Sep 2018 7.29pm

She sold herself so she could take care of her daughter. Perhaps her daughter is too young to be married off to a DOM.. What abt her husband? He does not care for his daughter’s welfare now that the wife is jailed??? Where is compassion????

Woo Chee Seng
27 Sep 2018 7.38pm
Reply to  Gerrie Teng

Gerrie Teng compassion is only for show just like what they say there’s no compulsion in religion!

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