On February 9th, 2011, the setting up of a new record could be entered into the Malaysian Book of Records. On February 17th, Home Minister, Hishammudin announced that three women and four men who had been found guilty of illicit sex under Syariah law had been caned on February 9th. The three became the first women to be caned in Malaysia. Two of the women received six strokes of the cane and the other four.
It is strange that the local press did not hear of this record-breaking announcement! Up to the time of writing this POP (12th June 2011), the news has been withheld. GAGGED?
In Malaysia, the caning is carried out with a half-inch wooden cane that can cause welts and scarring. Federal law exempts men over 50 and all women from caning.
With reference to Syariah caning, a smaller cane is used and the caning official cannot raise the cane above his shoulder. Additionally, the subject is fully clothed so that the cane will not touch the flesh.
Local Islamic officials claim that the intent is not to injure but to make the offenders ashamed of their sins and repent.
Note two comments on this incident:
1. The Bar Council
Ragunath Kesavan, president of the Malaysian Bar Council, said it was worrying that the punishment had gone ahead even as the caning issue was being hotly debated by Muslim scholars, religious groups and human rights activists.
“It is not as if this is the Middle East…it’s not a good signal that the government is sending out.”
“We are against any form of corporal punishment, for men or women,” Kesavan said. “The fact is that any form of whipping is barbaric.”
2. Amnesty International
London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International urged Malaysia to end a caning “epidemic”, saying that the women’s case was “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Donna Guest, the group’s deputy Asia-Pacific director, said in a statement that Malaysian authorities caned more than 35,000, mainly foreigners, since 2002.
“The government needs to abolish this cruel and degrading punishment, no matter what the offence,” she said.
AMEN (I agree)!
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
