Shariah offences

Ezra Zaid’s Shariah trial over book to start Feb 22

Nur Farzana Md Yusof

Source: Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — The Shariah court today decided that Mohd Ezra Mohd Zaid’s trial over a book will proceed on February 22 despite a pending civil court case challenging his Shariah prosecution.

Zulkifli Che Yong, the lawyer for Ezra in the Shariah case, confirmed that there was a hearing today for his client’s application to stay the Shariah trial until the conclusion of a separate case at the civil courts.

“The court fixed for trial 22 February,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted today.

On March 7, 2013, Ezra was charged as ZI Publications’ director and majority shareholder under Section 16(1)(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995 with two alternative counts of publishing and distributing the Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta book, as well as a third alternative count under Section 16(1)(b) for possession of 180 copies of the book. Read more →

Jamil Khir: Public caning means more than two observers in Islam

Nur Farzana Md Yusof

Source:The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Minister in charge of Islamic affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom sought to put a lid on the controversy surrounding Kelantan’s move to allow public caning for Shariah offenders this week.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the whipping penalty carried out in prison can actually be deemed to be public caning in Islam, which only requires more than two observers, national news agency Bernama reported today.

“In prison there are already more than two people including the doctor who is there to observe, the religious [enforcement] officer, the offender’s escort and others on duty,” he was quoted telling reporters in Guar Chempedak, Kedah after officiating the Jerai Umno Youth delegates meeting there. Read more →

‘Sabah, Sarawak MPs must defeat Hadi’s bill’

Coordinator

Source: FMT News

Shariah law amendment will introduce hudud, thus altering secular nature of Malaysian legal system, says East Malaysian group of ex-politicians, business leaders. Pic from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: Sabah and Sarawak MPs must defeat a motion to debate a Private Members Bill to enhance punishments for shariah offences as it is against the right to freedom of religion that the two territories had agreed to in forming Malaysia.

Former Human Rights Commission vice-chairman Simon Sipaun said politicians should be aware of this as that guaranteee was outlined in separate agreements from both states.

“We are appealing to those in power and authority but they should know better. The motion is all about politics and religion,” said Sipaun.

Sipaun said this in response to a document unveiled yesterday in four languages, including Iban and Kadazan, to create awareness among the people in both states on the far reaching implications of the motion. Read more →

PAS to apply new Shariah punishments in states it takes in GE14

Coordinator

Source: The Malay Mail Online

ALOR SETAR, April 27 — PAS will introduce higher Shariah sentencing limits in the five states the party aims to control after the next general election, PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said today.

Nik Abduh said this was also contingent, however, on PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s private member’s Bill being passed by Parliament.

He then urged the Islamist party’s youth wing to help realise Hadi’s ambition for PAS to rule five states and win 40 parliamentary seats in the next election.

“If it is fated that Act 355 is passed in Parliament, and PAS manages to rule five states in GE14, we actually have the powers to amend Shariah enactments at the state levels,” Nik Abduh said during his opening speech at the PAS Youth Muktamar here today. Read more →

Five-star reviews flood ‘Hotline Jais’ app after claim it will be removed

Coordinator

Source: The Malay Mail Online

The Application has 4,803 five-star and 60 one-star user reviews at the time of writing. Pic from the MMO.

The Application has 4,803 five-star and 60 one-star user reviews at the time of writing. Pic from the MMO.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Over 4,000 five-star reviews were posted for the “Hotline Jais” mobile app after an online message alleged Google will remove it today over complaints of privacy violations.

The app by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), which enables the public to report suspected Shariah offences,

, giving it an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.

“Very good app. It will help prevent immorality [sic] activities in the society. Easier for mosleem to get information about JAIS and other Islamic department activities. Good app to deal with.. keep it up. ‘Kafir sila jgn sibuk ya’.. mind ur own bussiness,” a user called Keroll Baree posted Monday. Read more →