Rep: Cane hudud offenders publicly

KOTA BARU: A PAS representative has suggested that offenders of hudud law be publicly whipped at mosques after Friday prayers.

Hassan Mohamood (PAS – Tawang) also urged the Kelantan government to start implementing the law on a gradual basis since the party’s Private Member’s Bill on hudud had failed to be tabled in Parliament.

“Why not flog offenders in public after Friday prayers? It is not to shame the offender, but to educate him, as well as the witnesses.

“Two men found guilty of zina (adultery) in Tawau by the Syariah High Court were caned 40 times in front of witnesses.

“If Sabah can do it, I do not see why Kelantan, which is at the forefront of the hudud agenda, can’t carry out such public punishment,” he told the state assembly.

Under the state’s Syariah Criminal Code, those found guilty of consuming alcoholic beverages, having illicit sex and slander can be lashed between eight and 100 times.

In another issue, state Opposition Leader Datuk Norzula Mat Diah (BN – Paloh) asked why homes for the flood victims in Limau Kesturi had not been rebuilt.

“They have been living under zinc sheets since last year,” he said.

State Local Government and Housing committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmoo (PAS – Bukit Panau) replied that the Federal Government had to first provide the infrastructure in the area before the state government could rebuild the houses.

“I was made to understand that two companies had withdrawn from the project,” he added.

Datuk Alwi Che Ahmad (BN – Kok Lanas) took issue with this and said that everyone should discuss the matter instead of pointing fingers.

“I will get to the bottom of this.

“And if it is true that Federal Government officials erred in their duties, I will take the appropriate action to ensure the houses are rebuilt,” he said.