SUPP youth on Shariah law in Penang

suppadmin | August 26, 2014

SUPP Youth Secretary General Wilfred Yap is relieved that the Penang Lower Shariah Court has ordered the discharge and acquittal of Indonesian Christian Halimah of the charge of Khalwat, an offence under Penang’s Shariah laws applicable only to Muslims.

Indonesian born Halimah had earlier in December 2011 been accused of being in close proximity with a person of the opposite gender in Penang. Halimah was earlier convicted in May 2012 after pleading guilty to the charge of Khalwat, although she said she did not understand the charge. She was subsequently sentenced to 14 days jail and fined RM3,000.00 but was allowed a stay of execution pending appeal.

However, SUPP Youth is appalled by the Pakatan Rakyat Government of Penang for their silence and lackluster action on the issue as Penang’s Islamic religious authorities are under their purview and control. This is in light of the fact that the case had infringed on Halimah’s rights as a migrant worker, as a women and as a religious minority.

It is indeed sad to note that DAP being a part of Pakatan Rakyat has failed to ensure that Shariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Penang) DO NOT APPLY to non-Muslims. DAP which derives a major part of their votes from the non-Muslims should also demand that training be provided to the law enforcement officers that the regulations based on Penang Shariah laws should not be imposed on non-Muslims.

SUPP Youth therefore demands that the Pakatan Rakyat Government of Penang under the leadership of the DAP Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should apologize to Halimah for the ordeal that she has been subjected to due to the wrongful prosecution by the Penang Religious authorities.