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Pas Youth defends Terengganu public caning, says it deters moral decay

KUALA LUMPUR: A Pas Youth leader has defended the planned public caning of a man who was caught for repeated offences of khalwat (close proximity) in Terengganu.

Its strategic communications director Nazrul Nazir said public whipping was not a cruel punishment, but as a form of education to the public and a manifestation of Islamic justice.

"As Muslims, we must understand the true objective of implementing this punishment, which is to safeguard public welfare and prevent greater harm within society.

"Understand that syariah law is not solely about punishment but also about preserving societal harmony.

"This punishment serves as a reminder to us all: let us return to the true teachings of Islam and ensure that our families and communities are safeguarded from moral decay," he said in a statement today.

Nazrul said the public implementation of such punishments aligned with the Islamic principle of 'al-zajr wa al-ta'dib' (deterrence and education), to create awareness and prevent others from committing sinful acts.

He refuted claims made by G25, a group of prominent retired civil servants, who said the offence of khalwat did not pose a threat to national security.

"They (G25) fail to grasp the long-term repercussions of moral transgressions like these.

"Statistics reveal that over 17,000 teenagers had given birth out of wedlock, and there are more than 500,000 illegitimate birth registrations in our country.

"Is there not sufficient evidence that moral decay is a significant threat to the family institution and societal wellbeing?" he questioned.

He added that the caning of "habitual khalwat" offenders was an effort to curb worsening social ills, and aligned with the objectives of the 'maqasid syariah', or syariah purposes, to protect religion and morality.

It was crucial, he said, to respect the decisions of the Syariah Court as a judicial institution, and that any attempt to challenge rulings without understanding their foundations equaled a disrespect of the Islamic judicial system.

This Friday, Mohd Affendi Awang, 42, would become the first person in Terengganu to be sentenced to six lashes in public for repeated offences of khalwat.

The sentence was handed down by the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court on Nov 20 after the man pleaded guilty to repeated khalwat offences under Section 31(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment Amendment 2022 for khalwat.

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