PAS’ spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin has urged PAS-led states to implement public caning as a Shariah punishment, following its introduction in Terengganu.
He praised Terengganu for setting an example, emphasising that public caning is not cruel but educates offenders and onlookers, with offenders considered free from further punishment afterwards.
Terengganu conducted its first public caning on Dec 27, punishing a 42-year-old man convicted of repeated “khalwat” (close proximity with the opposite sex) under the Shariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Amendment Enactment 2022.
Other PAS-led states, such as Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis, have yet to announce similar measures.
Netizens shared their views, with most of them saying that such punishment is abhorrent.
An X user claimed that having public viewings of such punishments will only make “psychopaths” happy. He added that this is not the Stone Age as we live in modern times. Such punishments should not continue.
Public canning should be banned. No benefit from it. No one will learn or scared from this punishment. It only make those psychopath ppl happy (entertainment for them). Please la bukan zaman batu. Plus victim and family might hv long term side effects (depression, anxiety etc)
— Dhin88 (@DSR39022147) December 27, 2024
Others shared their dismay towards such public punishments, citing that we have made progress since our independence only for things like this to occur in Malaysia.
There are those supporting such punishment since for them, this is not meant to cause pain but rather to shame the individuals who misbehaved.
And what’s wrong with this? The purpose is not to maximise pain but instead shamefulness, which is something that is severely lacking in today’s society
— tree (@ZH_76WW) December 26, 2024
Additionally, those who agree with this say it should be administered to corrupt politicians/government officials. This, they said, should apply to states where rampant corruption is taking place, alleging they are PAS-led states.
Berzina ni puas sekejap je malu sampai bila² . Walaun nak buat dosa pun cari lah yg menguntungkan macam fitnah atau makan rasuah. Contoh Pemfitnah pun dah dapat derma jihad daripada orang muslim. Nak makan Rasuah gunalah istilah kutip duit sedekah.
— iTweet (@bercampera) December 26, 2024
But some were even asking if such events would be streamed live on social media. — Dec 28, 2024
Why not going live.
— Kai (@Boon230) December 26, 2024
Main photo credit: Sinar Harian
