Man In Terengganu Becomes First To Be Publicly Whipped For Khalwat
This was his third offence since 2023.
By Aleya Natasha Mohd Ali — 21 Nov 2024, 12:39 PM
A 42-year-old man will become the first person in Terengganu to face public caning after being convicted of repeatedly committing khalwat
According to Bernama, Terengganu Syariah High Court senior judge Kamalruazmi Ismail sentenced Mohd Affendi Awang to six strokes of the cane and a fine of RM4,000. If he fails to pay, he will be sentenced to six months in jail.
The court ordered the whipping to be carried out at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque, after Friday prayers, on 6 December, unless he files an appeal within fourteen days of the court's judgment.
The accused, a widower with five children, pleaded guilty to committing khalwat with a 52-year-old woman at around 1.40am on 16 June at a house in Kerteh.
This public whipping was imposed as it was his third offence, following previous convictions for the same offence in July last year and February this year
FMT reported that in July 2023, he was fined RM2,700 after pleading guilty to khalwat at the Kemaman Syariah lower court.
In February this year, he was convicted of the same offence and sentenced to four strokes of the cane, and a RM3,000 fine.
Under the state’s Syariah criminal offences enactment, which took effect this year, repeat offenders of khalwat can be punished with up to six strokes of the cane, a maximum RM5,000 fine, or three years in prison.
The judge said the punishment aims to educate, deter, prevent reoffending, and serve as a reminder to the public
"A believer does not fall into the same hole twice. You (Mohd Affendi) have been whipped and jailed but repeated it again.
"The first-time punishment should have given you a reason to repent," Kamalruazmi said during his judgement.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Chief Syarie Prosecutor Nik Mohd Shahril Iwan Mat Yusof, while the accused did not have legal representation.
