KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Whipping punishment meted out under the Shariah law is less painful and does not hurt the skin as it uses only a small cane, PAS Central Committee member Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said today.

“Act 355 fixes a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or RM5,000 fine or six strokes of the cane,” he said referring to the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355.

“While the punishment for the three crimes under Islam is caning, the cane is a small one which does not hurt the skin, what more the flesh,” he said in a statement, referring to alcohol consumption, accusing Muslims of adultery without proof and adultery.

“In fact, the caning practised by the Civil Courts is painful and hurts the skin which is in contradiction with Islam,” the Kuala Nerus MP said.

Dr Mohd Khairuddin also backed Perak mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria’s recent call telling Muslim MPs across the political divide to give their full support to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill.

Harussani said his call came after rumours that there will be Muslim MPs from Umno and PKR who will not vote for the Bill that aims to further empower the Shariah Court.

Hadi’s Bill on enhancing the powers of the Shariah Court is listed in the Order Paper for the next Parliament meeting beginning Monday.

Harussani also denied claims that the Bill will usurp the powers of the Malay rulers, saying that the appointment of Shariah judges itself needs the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Hadi’s Bill has also been called the “Hudud Bill” owing to belief that it will pave way for the enforcement of the Islamic penal law in states such as Terengganu and Kelantan, where such legislation exist but remain dormant due to constitutional barriers to their implementation.

The law is to empower Islamic courts to enforce punishments ― except for the death penalty ― provided in Shariah laws for Islamic offences listed under state jurisdiction in the Federal Constitution.

Shariah court punishments are currently limited to jail terms not exceeding three years, whipping of not more than six strokes, or fines of not more than RM5,000.