Caning For Khalwat A Lesson Not To Commit Repeat Offence Terengganu Exco

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The caning sentence levelled at the man convicted of khalwat (close proximity) thrice is a lesson to ensure others would not make or repeat the same offence, Terengganu executive councillor for Information, Dakwah, and Empowerment of Syariah, Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi said today.
He said this over the Terengganu Syariah Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the six strokes of rotan on Mohd Affendi Awang, 42, yesterday.
“This discretionary caning punishment (sebatan takzir) is aimed at showing the difference between corporal punishments meted out by civil and syariah jurisdictions.
“And the state government urges everyone to pray so that this punishment can be carried out smoothly,” he said in a press statement today.
As for the standard operating procedure for the execution of the punishment, Khalil said the authorities would issue them before the punishment is carried out.
Third offence
On Nov 20, Terengganu Syariah High Court judge Kamalruazmi Ismail meted out the sentence on Affendi - who pleaded guilty to committing khalwat for the third time.
Muhammad Khalil Abdul HadiThe widower became the first offender to be publicly caned for a syariah criminal offence in Terengganu.
He was charged under Section 31(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Amendment Enactment 2022 for khalwat.
Affendi was also fined RM4,000, with a six-month prison sentence imposed if the fine is not paid.
The court had ordered the six-stroke punishment to be carried out after Friday prayers on Dec 6, but two days earlier, the state government announced that the punishment would be temporarily suspended pending appeal at the Terengganu Syariah Court of Appeal.
The home builder and father of five had previously been fined RM2,700 or sentenced to three months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a khalwat charge on July 11, 2023, at the Kemaman lower Syariah Court.
He was once again charged with the same offence on Jan 25, before the Terengganu Syariah High Court sentenced him on Feb 19 to four strokes of the cane, a fine of RM3,000, or six months imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine. - Mkini

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