Malaysian state passes Islamic law.

BBC ^ | Monday, 8 July, 2002, 12:53 GMT 13:53 UK | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

Monday, 8 July, 2002, 12:53 GMT 13:53 UK

Malaysian state passes Islamic law

A state government in Malaysia has approved a bill to bring in Islamic criminal laws, including death by stoning for adultery and cutting off hands and feet for theft.

The bill on hudud law - the Islamic penal code - was proposed by the government of Terengganu, a rural state in the north-east run by Islamic party PAS.

Although our penalties are harsh and terrifying, we must realise that these offences and sins... are truly evil and despicable

Abdul Hadi Awang, Terengganu's chief minister The bill was easily passed as PAS (Parti Islam se-Malaysia) has 28 members in the assembly, with only four from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) which dominates nationally.

But PAS has little chance of imposing the proposed law as the federal government controlled by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's coalition has vowed to block it.

The state government in Kelantan, the other Malaysian state controlled by PAS, passed similar laws in 1993 but they have never been enforced because of federal government opposition.

Harsh punishments

As the controversial bill was passed on Monday, the Umno legislators left the chamber in protest.

Under the code, a robber who kills his victim can be sentenced to death and crucified. A thief's right hand is amputated for his first offence, and his left foot for the second.

Dr Mahathir is seen as a moderate Muslim

A Muslim who renounces Islam is punished by death.

Women's groups have been particularly angered as the bill states that four male Muslim witnesses are needed to prove a rape.

If they cannot back up their claims they can be charged with slander, which is punished by whipping.

Sodomy and adultery is punishable by death by stoning, while Muslims who consume alcohol can be whipped up to 80 times.

Analysts say PAS - the main opposition party in Malaysia - is using the Islamic law as a way to try to win the support of the country's Muslims ahead of general elections due in 2004.

But Terengganu's Chief Minister Abdul Hadi Awang has defended the bill.

"Although our penalties are harsh and terrifying, we must realise that these offences and sins... are truly evil and despicable," he told the assembly on Sunday.

Mr Abdul Hadi, a hardliner, has been the party's acting president since the death last month of more moderate leader Fadzil Noor.

Muslims make up just over half of Malaysia's 23 million people, but they are in the majority in Terengganu.

[vannrox]

Not found in any of the US News Outlets.

[ArcLight]

Well, one thing's for durn sure...they won't be holding any Miss World competitions up in there anytime soon!

[lanceboyle]

Will they be outlawing hashers....Kuala Lampur is the home of the original group of Hash House Harriers.

[maui_hawaii]

Terengannu is a province of Malaysia on its east coast.

Map

Based on some of my reading, the governments of each of the other provinces, as well as law enforcement and national government have said they will not allow this to be enforced.

[PoisedWoman]

Muslims make up just over half of Malaysia's 23 million people, but they are in the majority in Terengganu.

This is a really important topic, vannrox. Thanks for posting, and I hope you keep it bumped to the top for the Monday Freepers.

Statistics in parts of Europe show that Muslims are making similar gains, are not assimilating. Can Muslim laws be far behind? Welcome to the cultural stone age.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Consort]

Maylasia	Terengganu

[segis]

Malaysia is a little complicated. The population mix is not due to a recent influx of immigrants - it was immigration during the years when Malaysia was a British colony - it gained independence in 1957. But then, Malaysia has been a country of immigrants - it is just a matter of who came when. The Muslims were there earlier than the Chinese(who were mostly Buddhists/Confucians and Christians and the Indians(mostly Hindus)(both of whom came when the country was a Colony).

Certain states have a bigger Muslim population than others, Trengganu being one. So there the state gov. may be more extreme than other state govs.

You are right about the 'not assimilating' part though. Anyways, if you want to learn more about Malaysia, the CIA Factbook is a reasonably good place. Also, Sir V.S. Naipaul has written some good pieces about about Malaysia and the Muslim society in it - don't recall which book it was in.

Just my 0.02 cents

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Greater Islamic Republic BUMP!

[richardthelionheart]

Our future! Islam is going take over the world!
Liberals and Islam are one as they both hate America , democracy and are destined to take over the world. Birthrates alone are what is going to determine the future!

[knighthawk]

I'll bump that because the integration of most muslims failed in the Netherlands. Not just on language, but we found out after 9/11 they imported fundamentalist imams who preach against the West.