Gamblers publicly caned in Aceh

Gamblers publicly caned in Aceh

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh

Large crowds gathered on Friday in Banda Aceh and Pidie to watch
tsunami survivors publicly caned for gambling.

It was the eighth time this year convicted gamblers have been
publicly caned in Aceh, under the sharia law implemented in the
province two years ago. The first public caning took place in
Bireuen regency in June this year.

Six men who have been living in the Lhong Raya center for
displaced persons since the Dec. 26 tsunami were caned outside a
mosque in Banda Aceh after being arrested for gambling during
Ramadhan.

Prosecutor Nilawasi said the six men violated articles 5 and
23 of Bylaw No. 13/2003 on gambling.

"They were caught gambling by the Banda Aceh Police. The
police confiscated a pack of playing cards and Rp 82,000
(US$8.20) in cash."

M. Zubair Husain, 42, who was convicted of organizing the
illegal game, received 12 strokes of the cane. The other five men
-- Nasrumubbin, 30; M Ali, 21; Subhan, 20; Darkashi, 25; and
Dino, 20 -- each received 10 strokes of the cane.

In Sigli, Pidie regency, four men from the Trieng Gadeng
center for displaced persons each received six strokes of the
cane for gambling.

Aceh implemented sharia law in 2003, two years after the
central government granted the province special autonomy to curb
separatist demands.

Before canings were introduced, Aceh regional governments
already enforced Muslim dress codes, mandatory prayers five times
a day and the giving of alms.

The public canings began after the province introduced bylaws
to prohibit gambling, sexual relations outside of marriage and
alcohol. Of the bylaws, the one on gambling has been the most
frequently violated.