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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysian Islamist calls for stonings |
| 2003-01-11 |
| The spiritual leader of Malaysia's main Islamist opposition party, Pas, has called for people convicted of sex crimes to be stoned to death in public. Yep. There isn't anything more Islamic than a good, old-fashioned stoning... On Friday Malaysia announced that it would not bring in the death penalty for those convicted of rape and incest involving children, as had originally been proposed. Pas has welcomed moves by the government to bring in tougher sentencing for sex offenders but says they don't go far enough. "If they ain't dead, it ain't far enough!" The new penalties unveiled on Friday did not include the death sentence originally proposed for sex crimes involving children. Instead those found guilty of rape or incest will face whipping and up to 30 years in jail. Actually, that sounds like it goes pretty far... But Pas' spiritual leader, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, says the new laws are not in accordance with Islam and he wants rapists to be publicly stoned to death. He says it is important that the people see the pain of those being stoned so that they can learn from it. He believes stoning in private would not act as a deterrent. "Abdul, that's a rapist. Bash his head in with a rock, but don't let anybody see you..." Pas' leaders have garnered a colourful reputation. Nik Aziz, who is also chief minister of the state of Kelantan, once decreed that the state should only employ ugly women because pretty ones could find husbands. Is he the guy who once tried to speak the words "Islamic civilization" and his lips fell off? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 The local Malays have a lot of gall. Whatever prosperity Malaysia benefits, is attributable entirely to its Chinese and Hindu minorities. The rumored secret agreements viz protection of Singapore - ie ethnic Chinese - are probably true. The mentality reflected in the article, could warrant a big slap if it goes any farther. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-01-11 15:57:18 |