KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday denounced the caning of 2 ladies convicted of getting lesbian sex in violation of strict Islamic rules, after the punishment sparked a hurricane of grievance.
The pair were caned in front of more than 100 spectators in an Islamic court on Monday, with one of the most ladies breaking down in tears, once they admitted breaching regulations that forbid homosexual family members.
The punishment in conservative northern Terengganu state marked the first time ladies have been caned for same-sex family members in Muslim-majority Malaysia, according to campaigners, and heightened fears a couple of worsening climate for the country's homosexuals.
Mahathir added his voice to growing grievance, pronouncing he had mentioned the problem with his cabinet and they felt the caning "does not reflect justice and tolerance in Islam".
"This gives a bad image of Islam and we believe that if there are similar cases like this we need to consider giving lighter punishments," he mentioned.
"It is crucial we show Islam is not a cruel religion... that humiliates people." Mahathir mentioned as it was once a primary offence for the women, they should have been given recommendation fairly than being caned.
The ladies, elderly 22 and 32, were arrested in April through Islamic enforcement officers once they were found in a automotive in a public square.
The pair, whose identities have not been printed, pleaded to blame final month to breaking Islamic rules and were sentenced to six strokes of the cane and a wonderful of three,300 ringgit ($800).
Multi-ethnic Malaysia operates a dual-track criminal machine, with Islamic courts dealing with religious and circle of relatives issues for Muslim voters, who make up over 60 consistent with cent of the country's inhabitants.
Islamic rules are overseen through particular person states in Malaysia.
Terengganu state is ruled through the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which is not a part of the ruling coalition on the national stage.
The caning came against a backdrop of what activists say is growing intolerance in opposition to the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The Islamic affairs minister has spoken out against homosexuals, while a transgender woman was once brutally attacked within the southern state of Negeri Sembilan.
The pair were caned in front of more than 100 spectators in an Islamic court on Monday, with one of the most ladies breaking down in tears, once they admitted breaching regulations that forbid homosexual family members.
The punishment in conservative northern Terengganu state marked the first time ladies have been caned for same-sex family members in Muslim-majority Malaysia, according to campaigners, and heightened fears a couple of worsening climate for the country's homosexuals.
Mahathir added his voice to growing grievance, pronouncing he had mentioned the problem with his cabinet and they felt the caning "does not reflect justice and tolerance in Islam".
"This gives a bad image of Islam and we believe that if there are similar cases like this we need to consider giving lighter punishments," he mentioned.
"It is crucial we show Islam is not a cruel religion... that humiliates people." Mahathir mentioned as it was once a primary offence for the women, they should have been given recommendation fairly than being caned.
The ladies, elderly 22 and 32, were arrested in April through Islamic enforcement officers once they were found in a automotive in a public square.
The pair, whose identities have not been printed, pleaded to blame final month to breaking Islamic rules and were sentenced to six strokes of the cane and a wonderful of three,300 ringgit ($800).
Multi-ethnic Malaysia operates a dual-track criminal machine, with Islamic courts dealing with religious and circle of relatives issues for Muslim voters, who make up over 60 consistent with cent of the country's inhabitants.
Islamic rules are overseen through particular person states in Malaysia.
Terengganu state is ruled through the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which is not a part of the ruling coalition on the national stage.
The caning came against a backdrop of what activists say is growing intolerance in opposition to the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The Islamic affairs minister has spoken out against homosexuals, while a transgender woman was once brutally attacked within the southern state of Negeri Sembilan.
Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad denounces caning of women for lesbian sex
![Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad denounces caning of women for lesbian sex]()
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September 06, 2018
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