A 42-year-old Malaysian man, Mohd Affendi Awang, was publicly caned on Friday for the Islamic offence of “khalwat” (close proximity with a non-family member of the opposite sex) in the northeastern state of Terengganu. This rare public sentencing was conducted at a mosque and attended by 90 people under police supervision, following Friday prayers.
Mohd Affendi, a construction worker and father of five, was sentenced to six strokes of the cane and fined after pleading guilty last month. This marks his third conviction for the offence. The punishment, carried out by a Marang Prison officer, lasted for two minutes, according to local media reports.
Terengganu, governed by the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), enforces a stricter interpretation of Islamic law. In 2018, the state also publicly caned two women convicted of attempting lesbian sex, sparking significant criticism from human rights groups.
PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man defended the practice, stating that it aligns with Islamic teachings and serves as a public deterrent. He emphasized the state government’s commitment to strengthening Islamic law through such measures.
However, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia condemned the punishment, arguing it undermines human dignity, contravenes the Federal Constitution, and raises serious legal and ethical concerns. Critics have also pointed out that Malaysia’s dual legal system, which applies both Islamic and secular laws, creates tensions between religious practices and human rights standards.
The case has reignited debates over the balance between religious law enforcement and adherence to international human rights obligations, placing Malaysia’s legal framework under scrutiny.
