Many Malaysians have been voicing their opinions over the recent caning of two women who were caught having sexual relations in Terengganu earlier in April 2018. The two were found guilty and fined RM3,300 along with six strokes of the cane each.
The caning of the two women was just carried out earlier this week (3rd September) in front of a panel of judges and an audience of 100 witnesses at 10.10am. This caused a lot of outrage and backlash from local netizens, activists, politicians, as well as Hollywood actors, who condemned the caning.
My heart broke this morning as I read the news that my country caned two women for wanting a moment of happiness with each other. I thought of their humiliation and I cried.
— Pang Khee Teik (@PangKheeTeik) September 3, 2018
Boycott Malaysian products until the government there stops torturing people for living their lives.
— Dirk Blocker (@DirkBlocker) September 3, 2018
Repeat after me:
Caning is barbaric;
Caning is inhuman;
It is 21st century!#CampurLGBThttps://t.co/xYZ9v7mCpS— PELANGI Campaign (@pelangicampaign) September 4, 2018
this is what is happening around the world still today. in 2018. we are not past bigotry, sexism, homophobia or racism. it is alive. we must see it. we must speak out against it. our voices can create change. https://t.co/PESHFHtCb4
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) September 3, 2018
However, there was also a good number of individuals who praised the Terengganu Syariah court for punishing the two women. PAS MP Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali, for example, was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying,
“What is more important is the method of Syariah caning will invite Allah’s blessings to the people and the state like it was convicted in the Prophet’s hadith. There is no spiritual soul in the implementation of civil criminal punishments.”
Source: Malay Mail
Meanwhile, in light of the public caning, Pahang could be the next state to implement the same punishment for those committing offences connected to LGBT issues, reported Free Malaysia Today.
However, nothing has been finalised yet as Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) director Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani stated that the execution of the caning sentence should be thoroughly studied first, although they do support caning.
On top of that, the JAIP director added that the caning was a valid form of punishment and it proved that authorities were serious about implementing laws that would “curb LGBT practices”.
What are your thoughts on the recent incidents surrounding Malaysia’s LGBT community? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read: Two Terengganu Women in Lesbian Sex Case Were Publicly Caned in Front of 100 People
