KUALA LUMPUR: The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, which introduces whipping as mandatory for specified sexual offences and domestic violence, was passed by the Parliament tonight.
It was passed without any changes.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim said with the whipping punishment, it would show the seriousness of the government in dealing with such offences.
“Our priority is to protect the weak and (whipping) will serve as a deterrent,” he said when winding up the debate.
Razali said the bill will leave it to the discretion of the court to decide on the number of strokes to be handed down to offenders upon conviction.
When the bill becomes law, it extends offences of sexual connection by object as to include any part of the body except the penis.
With the amendment, the court shall have the power to punish the offender who causes hurt to his or her spouse, former spouse, a child, an incapacitated adult or any other member of the family.
Under Clause 2, the bill includes obscene documents as part of the things prohibited to be sold under Section 292 of the Code. For this purpose, such documents will include obscene online contents.