ONLY 70 individuals are permitted to witness the preparation for a public whipping of a khalwat offender at Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah in Kuala Terengganu.
They are prohibited from bringing devices such as smartphones or video recorders to ensure the procedure complies with judicial instructions.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief assistant commissioner Azli Mohd Noor stated that any recordings during the procedure are not allowed to comply with the instructions issued by the judiciary.
“Only 70 individuals are allowed to enter the execution area for the punishment. They are not allowed to bring in communication devices such as smartphones, video recorders, and similar items,” he said in a statement today.
The police have deployed 40 officers to ensure safety and prevent any disturbances. Attendees are advised to leave the mosque immediately after Friday prayers to avoid provoking the officials or creating congestion.
“The Royal Malaysia Police will place about 40 officers and personnel during the implementation of this punishment. This is a precautionary measure to prevent any provocation or excessive actions that may disrupt the process,” he said.
In the same development, he advised attendees of Friday prayers at the mosque to immediately leave after performing the religious ritual.
Meanwhile, the non-governmental organisation Sisters In Islam (SIS) described the public caning of Affendi Awang in Terengganu as a “cruel” action.
SIS raised concerns about the moral justification for such punishment, questioning how society has reached a point where cruelty is praised in the name of morality. They criticised the lack of compassion and respect for humanity, deeming it a grave injustice.
This follows reports that Affendi, a 42-year-old widower, will be the first person publicly caned at a mosque in Terengganu after being caught three times engaging in khalwat with a woman. — Dec 25, 2024
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
