KUALA TERENGGANU: The recent public caning of two lesbians in Terengganu serves as “free marketing” for the Islamic syariah administration that PAS wants to implement, says its ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed.
“Following the caning incident, the public was able to see that Islamic law is fair and just.
“Many were able to see that caning implemented by the syariah law is not harsh, and this has been praised.
“Of course, there were some who were against it, but this is the free marketing we are talking about,” he said, adding that the episode allowed people to discuss the merits of syariah law.
He was speaking at the opening of the PAS’ ulama wing’s muktamar (general assembly).
PAS deputy ulama chief Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the mainstream media should give PAS a chance to explain the merits of syariah law.
“If Pakatan Harapan truly believes in a free media, it should allow us to explain on mainstream media about syariah law as well as the caning incident.
“After we explain it publicly, then people are free and have every right to comment. What is happening now is that people are giving their opinion on this without listening to proper explanation,” said Dr Nik Muham-mad Zawawi at a press conference later.
The Pasir Puteh MP said caning under civil courts was even harsher than what was conducted in the syariah courts, yet people tend to criticise the syariah implementation.
Earlier this month, two lesbians were sentenced by the Kuala Terengganu syariah court to be caned six times each after they pleaded guilty to have sex together.
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