PAHANG, another east coast state, will also mete out caning to punish Muslim lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transgender (LBGT) sexual minorities, Bernama reports today.

Bernama tweeted that the matter was now undergoing a detailed study, according to the state’s Islamic Affairs Department (JAIP) director.

This follows the highly publicised caning of two Muslim lesbians in Terengganu yesterday.

Musahaqah or sexual relations between women is listed as a specific offence in the Shariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment for Terengganu, whereas it is not listed under the enactment for Pahang.

According to a compilation by the Penang Institute of shariah takzir offences and caning sentences, musahaqah is punishable by caning in Johor, Penang, Sarawak and the Federal Territorities, besides Terengganu.

The duo in Terengganu, aged 22 and 33, each received six strokes of the rotan for trying to have sex in a car earlier this year. They were also fined RM3,300 by the Kuala Terengganu shariah court.

The caning sentence carried out on the women was the first for lesbian sex, which is an Islamic offence.

The caning attracted widespread outcry locally and internationally.

Local women groups Justice for Sisters and Sisters in Islam said caning could only be carried out against prisoners based on the Prison Act and Prison Regulations, whereas the women were not sentenced to jail.

The groups called it a travesty and a grave miscarriage of justice.

Amnesty International Malaysia’s interim executive director Gwen Lee said the caning of two consensual adults has sent Malaysia back to the dark ages while slamming the Pakatan Harapan government for its lack of commitment in protecting LGBT rights. – September 4, 2018.