KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 ― The Kelantan government has defended a by-law mandating Friday prayers amid criticism, saying the PAS administration has simply done the right thing.

Only men about whom complaints have been received are required to sign in when they perform Friday prayers,  executive councillor in charge of Islamic development Nasaruddin Daud, from the Islamist party, PAS, also said.

“If men don’t perform their Friday prayers, it’s an offence in their religion and the government must take action,” Nasaruddin told Malay Mail Online.

“The government is considered wrong if it does not make such rules,” he added.

The Council of the Religion of Islam and Malay Customs (Kelantan) Enactment 1994 empowers state authorities to fine Muslim men up to RM1,000 or put them behind bars for up to a year, or both, for failing to attend Friday prayers three times in a row.

According to Nasaruddin, there  has only been one prosecution under the by-law since it was enacted in Kelantan two decades ago.

Legal activist group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has called the by-law unconstitutional and expressed concern about excessive state interference in private lives.

Civil society has expressed concern about the increasing institutionalisation of Islam in Malaysia, where it is an offence for Muslims to eat during the fasting month of Ramadan, to drink alcoholic beverages, or to have premarital sex.