PETALING JAYA: The two women who were found guilty of attempting to have same-sex relations last month were caned six times each at the Terengganu Shariah High Court today in a public demonstration witnessed by some 100 people.
According to Berita Harian, the women, aged 22 and 32, were caned before a panel of judges at about 10.10am.
The caning, which was carried out behind closed doors, was witnessed by the women’s families, representatives from legal bodies and NGOs, and members of the media.
This marks the state’s first verdict on same-sex relations.
Islamic enforcement officers in Terengganu found the two Muslim women attempting to engage in sexual acts in a car during a patrol in April.
They were charged under the shariah law known as musahaqah – which bans lesbian sex – and sentenced to six strokes of the cane and a fine of RM3,300 each after pleading guilty.
Their conviction came amid concerns around growing intolerance toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Malaysia after activists criticised some officials for making homophobic remarks in recent weeks.