The constitutional cost of caning

CANING or whipping has been known to the Malayan legal system since 1871 during the days of the British. Presently, about 50 to 60 different criminal offences attract the corporal penalty in statutes like the Penal Code, the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Immigration Act, the Arms Act and the Firearms Increased Penalties Act.

A number of syariah enactments also provide for caning but in ways that are much less painful than the caning under civil law. In addition, caning exists for serious disciplinary offences by students of secondary schools.