T’ganu’s Decision to Punish Unmarried Pregnant Women & Those That Act Like Men Draws Backlash

Earlier this month, the Amendment to the Syariah Criminal Offenses (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001 was approved at the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (DUN), governed by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).

According to a report by Kosmo, the amendment of the enactment is to further strengthen the Syariah legislation in the state and will begin after getting the consent of the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The enactment will include punishments for: 

• witchcraft and sorcery
• pregnancy and giving birth to a child out of wedlock
• women pretending to be men (dressing and acting like men)
• preparation for fornication

“All those offenses can be punished with a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison, a fine of RM5,000 and 6 lashes,” said Chairman of the Terengganu Shariah Implementation Committee, Education and Higher Education, Datuk Satiful Bahari Mamat.

International backlash from human rights activists and NGOs

According to Bloomberg, 14 rights groups, including the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), shared that the amendments to the enactment violates the right to freedom of expression, equality and non-discrimination.

This also worsens the “existing harmful impact on women, young people, LGTBQ persons, among others”.

What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments.

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