‘Punishing non-Muslims for khalwat against Constitution’ - The Star

PETALING JAYA: It is unconstitutional to punish non-Muslims for committing khalwat (close proximity) as there is no provision in law for it.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said yesterday that Article 121(A) of the Constitution allowed for separation between the Civil and Syariah courts.

“Khalwat is not recognised (as an offence) under civil law.

“It is not wrong for non-Muslims. Syariah law is only applicable to Muslims,” he said yesterday.

He was commenting on a proposal made during a seminar on Syariah Law review for non-Muslims who commit khalwat with Muslims to also be held liable.

Syariah Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mohd Asri Abdullah said the seminar had proposed that non-Muslims committing khalwat with Muslims be likewise sentenced, but in the civil courts.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/4/nation/20843977&sec=nation]