Law Minister: Federal Govt cannot interfere with state jurisdiction over caning of two women

KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government cannot interfere with state jurisdiction matters, said de facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong, referring to the caning of two women in Terengganu under Syariah law for attempting to have same-sex relations.

Liew (pic) cited Item 1 List II of the State List of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which he said clearly stated that the exercise of state jurisdiction on Islamic matters, which the Federal Government cannot interfere. 

He, however, said the act itself does not augur well for human rights especially in the eyes of the international community.

“The state of Terengganu is now under the control of PAS.

"PAS is not part of the Pakatan Harapan government but acts on its own accord,” he said Tuesday (Sept 4).

Two women who pleaded guilty to attempting to have same-sex relations were caned six times at the Syariah High Court here on Monday (Sept 3). 

The sentence was conducted behind closed doors in the courtroom after it was read out by Syariah High Court Judge Kamalruazmi Ismail. 

It was also witnessed by state Syariah chief judge Wan Mohd Zakri Wan Mohd and state senior syariah judge Rosdi Harun.

The accused, aged 22 and 32, were led to a stool where two female officers from the Kajang Women's prison carried out the sentence in turns.