M'sia man, 42, to be publicly caned for being alone in private with a woman not his wife

A 42-year-old Malaysian man is set to be publicly caned in Terengganu on Dec. 6, 2024 after he repeatedly committed khalwat, or the offence of being in close proximity with someone of the opposite gender without being married.

According to Malaysia English-language news outlet Malaysiakini, only 70 people are allowed to attend Mohd Affendi Awang's public caning at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque, the first in the state.

He was sentenced by the Terengganu Syariah High Court on Nov. 20 to six lashes of the cane and a fine of RM4,000 (S$1,209), reported Bernama.

Was with a woman who was not his wife

Affendi, a widower and father of five, had pleaded guilty to being with a 52-year-old woman who was not his wife or a female relative, at a house in Kerteh on Jun. 16, 2024.

The incident occurred at around 1:40am, according to Bernama.

Affendi is the first man in Terengganu sentenced to public caning, as he had reoffended after committing the offence on two other separate occasions in July 2023 and February 2024.

According to The Star, he was fined RM2,700 (S$816) in default of three months' jail in July 2023.

In his second case in February 2024, he was sentenced to four strokes of the cane and a RM3,000 (S$906) fine in default of six months' jail.

"The first-time punishment should have been a reason to repent": Syariah judge

Terengganu Syariah High Court senior judge Kamalruazmi Ismail said that the aim of imposing any punishment, based on Syariah and religion, is to teach offenders and prevent recidivism while also reminding the public of such acts.

He highlighted that Affendi had been sentenced to the same offences previously yet still reoffended, adding that his first punishment should have caused him to repent.

Top photo via Bernama