PETALING JAYA: The Terengganu Barisan Nasional deny being the source of several campaign-style social media posts opposing public caning for a repeated khalwat (close proximity) offender scheduled for Friday (Dec 27).
Terengganu Barisan Youth Chairman Tengku Haphiz Tengku Putera said the posts, which began circulating on Tuesday (Dec 24), were from fake accounts.
“Several public and personal Facebook accounts have posted as if they represent Umno and Barisan Terengganu.
“Umno Terengganu highly respects the judicial system, particularly decisions made by the Syariah Court.
“The chronology of this case, involving the caning sentence, has been carefully reviewed by the court, considering all aspects to uphold the dignity of Muslims,” he said, according to a Sinar Harian report on Wednesday (Dec 25).
Tengku Haphiz believed that the posts were politically motivated.
“Terengganu Barisan Youth condemns the actions of certain parties prioritising their political popularity over the importance of unity and universal justice,” he added.
On Nov 20, it was reported that a widower had become the first man in Terengganu to be sentenced to six strokes of the cane by the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court for repeated khalwat offences.
The offender, Mohd Affendi Awang, 42, had previously been sentenced to four strokes of the cane in private and fined RM3,000 by the Terengganu Syariah High Court on Feb 19 under the same enactment.
Previously, he was fined RM2,700 or three months’ imprisonment, after pleading guilty to khalwat at the Kemaman Syariah Lower Court on July 11, 2023.
Under the amended Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2022, which came into effect on Jan 1 this year, a second or subsequent khalwat offence can result in up to six strokes of the cane, a fine of up to RM5,000 or three years imprisonment.
