Public canings to start in Aceh for gamblers<\/p>\n
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Muhammad Ali, a convicted gambler facing a public caning, gave a
\nweary look when asked about his punishment. The man in his 40s
\nconfessed that he had left his fate to God.<\/p>\n
"If they insist on punishing me in this way, then they can go
\nahead. But they have should have punished the (big-time) graft
\nconvicts first," Ali said.<\/p>\n
Ali, a construction worker, was arrested on April 30 this year
\nwhen police found him and his six of his friends involved in
\nillegal gambling in Pulo Kitca, Bireuen.<\/p>\n
After being jailed for 15 days, he was freed by the police,
\nbut now he has to answer to the province's Islamic court, which
\nwill punish him under a new bylaw inspired by sharia law.<\/p>\n
Shortly after his release, Ali was summoned by the Bireuen
\nSharia Office, which passed his sentence -- 10 strokes of the
\nrattan cane to be delivered in public.<\/p>\n
Ali, and 25 other gamblers, are scheduled to be caned on
\nFriday in an open field in Bireuen regency, some 200 kilometers
\neast of Banda Aceh. The Bireuen regental government has even
\nprepared a stage where the caning takes place, presumably so
\ninterested members of the public can get a better view.<\/p>\n
The caning sentence, the first such corporal punishment
\nverdict in Aceh's modern history, is a product of the autonomy
\nlaw, which gives the traditional and conservative province the
\nright to enact its own bylaws. Its announcement caused
\ncontroversy on Wednesday when it was made public.<\/p>\n
While some have opposed the caning, others questioned why the
\npainful and humiliating punishment did not apply to the big-time
\ntheives, the politicians and public officials convicted of
\nstealing billions of rupiah in public money.<\/p>\n
"Why is the caning sentence only targeting the gamblers,
\ndrinkers and those who have committed adultery? It should apply
\nalso to the graft convicts," said Maisarah, 45, a resident of
\nJambo Tape, Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
But if the provincial leaders have their way, those found
\nguilty of graft offences could face a much tougher punishment
\nthan caning.<\/p>\n
In Aceh, there are currently only three bylaws passed that
\nrelate to sharia law -- those that prohibit gambling, adultery,
\nand the consumption of alcohol drinks. Corruption, meanwhile, is
\nbeing included in a new law encompassing theft.<\/p>\n
"The bylaw on theft, including corruption offences, is being
\ndeliberated by the Sharia Office," said Raihan Iskandar, the
\ndeputy speaker of the Aceh provincial council.<\/p>\n
Once the office completes its work, the new law will be
\nproposed to the Aceh provincial council for approval.<\/p>\n
According to Raihan, the office was proposing convicted
\ntheives would have their hands amputated, a tradition still
\npracticed in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
This tough punishment would help establish order in the
\nprovince and be an effective deterrent, he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-canings-to-start-in-aceh-for-gamblers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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