KUALA TERENGGANU: State assemblymen from both sides of the political divide have unanimously supported several amendments to the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment (Takzir) 2001 which will see heavier fines and longer jail sentences for Syariah-related criminal offences.
The amendments will see changes to Section 16 (related to Muslims who have failed to attend Friday prayers continuously for three times), Section 19 (related to failure to observe Ramadan rules), Section 34 (related to acting or behaving impolitely in public places) and Section 53 (related to harassing women in public places).
A new section – Section 24A (related to close proximity) will be added.
With the amendments, the penalty under Section 16 will be enhanced from a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail term not more than six months, or both, to a fine not exceeding RM3,000, or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
For those who sell or consume food, drinks, cigarettes or similar items during Ramadan, the penalty under Section 19, will be increased from a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail term not more than six months, or both, to a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
Under Section 34 and Section 53, the penalty will be revised from a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail term not more than six months, or both, to a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
For the new Section 24A, any men or women who are found staying, cohabitating, hiding or flirting with members of the opposite sex will be fined not more than RM3,000, or a jail term not more than two years, or both.
The proposals to amend the enactment were put forward by state Education, Science, Technology and Special Tasks Committee chairman Ghazali Taib.
He said increasing the jail term is aimed at creating awareness among Muslims on certain Syariah offences.
“The amendment also showed the state government’s support towards the amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or better known as Act 355,” he said.
Sixteen assemblymen from Barisan Nasional and ten from the opposition who were present at the August house supported the amendments.
Five assemblymen were absent from the assembly sitting.