KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — The Terengganu government has today passed several enactments outlawing shamanism and witchcraft as part of its effort to strengthen existing state shariah legislation.
Terengganu state executive councillor for shariah implementation, education and higher education Datuk Satiful Bahri Mamat was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia the aforementioned state enactments will be enforced after obtaining the consent of Terengganu Sultan, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Both witchcraft and shamanism were one of four new sections created under the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2001.
Satiful also said three new sections on females posing as males; females conceiving or giving birth to a child out of wedlock; and sodomy were also introduced in the amended enactment.
He said the amendments were timely since the enactment was tabled some 20 years ago and the most recent amendments took place in 2016.
To ensure Muslims received alternative treatment that is not against Islamic law, Satiful said a special unit has been established by the state Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAT) to supervise the matter.
Some fine-tuning to the enactment was also done, including maximising the punishment to three years imprisonment, a RM5,000 fine and six strokes of the cane.
“With the implementation of said punishment, the state government hopes those living in Terengganu will adhere to existing Islamic laws that are in line with the state’s aim to become developed, harmonious and prosperous,” Satiful added.
