Cops to limit attendance to 70 for public caning at Terengganu mosque

 

Kuala Terengganu police chief Azli Noor said the public will not be allowed to gather outside or around the mosque as it could disrupt the smooth execution of the sentence. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Police have set a limit of 70 people for those allowed to be at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Terengganu for the public caning of a man convicted by the shariah court for khalwat this Friday.

Kuala Terengganu police chief Azli Noor said those attending Friday prayers at the mosque would be advised to leave immediately after completing their prayers, Bernama reported.

“Only 70 people will be allowed into the area where the caning is to take place,” he said in a statement.

He reminded the public not to gather outside or around the mosque as it could disrupt the smooth execution of the sentence.

He also said that about 40 police officers and personnel will be deployed to ensure security during the execution of the caning on the carpenter.

Police will not hesitate to take strict action against any person or groups attempting to provoke the personnel or the offender on that day, he added.

Azli also said no recordings would be allowed and that the police would conduct checks to ensure no electronic or telecommunications devices were brought into the area where the caning will be carried out.

“I urge everyone to respect the law and avoid causing disturbances,” he added.

Affendi Awang, 42, will become the first individual in Terengganu to be publicly caned. He will be given six strokes of the cane.

Last Sunday, the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants warned that the planned public whipping of the man violates both federal and shariah laws.

The group criticised the Terengganu shariah appeals court’s unanimous decision on Dec 11 to uphold the punishment meted out to Affendi by the shariah high court.

G25 also said the fact that the whipping was announced to be held in a mosque after Friday prayers, essentially stripping a person of his dignity and right to privacy, is an injustice and affront to the values of compassion in Islam.

Earlier today, PAS Youth strategic communications director Nazrul Nazir defended the planned public whipping, saying the punishment is intended to educate society and prevent moral decay.

He also said all aspects of the offender’s health, safety and dignity would be safeguarded pursuant to the standard operating procedures issued by the shariah judicial department. - FMT