Cops haul up Penang exco for questioning Jais sermon

By admin-s On Feb 10, 2015

(TMI) – The police will investigate Penang exco Chong Eng for criticising the Selangor Islamic Department’s (Jais) sermon urging women to cover parts of their body, or “aurat”, to prevent rape.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted twice last night that Chong Eng will be investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.

His first tweet said: “@PDRMsia telah berkali2 ingatkan supaya hati2 membuat komen yg sensitif, yg menyentuh Agama, tetapi tidak juga diendahkan.” ( @PDRMsia has repeatedly reminded people to be careful when making sensitive comments that touch on religion, but is unheeded.)

The second: “@PDRMsia akan jlnkan siasatan diatas Komen oleh Exco Kerajaan PPg yg menyentuh Khutbah Jumaat mengenai Aurat Wanita dibawah Sect 298 PC.” (@PDRMsia will investigate the comments that touched on a Friday sermon about women’s aurat by a Penang government exco member under Section 298 of the Penal Code.)

Section 298 states whoever with deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person, or makes any gesture in the sight of that person, or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.

Chong, who is Penang Women’s Development Corporation chair, yesterday criticised the Islamic authorities over a Friday sermon that told women to “tutup aurat” (cover up) to prevent rape.

She said the message by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) gave “misleading information on rape, smacks of victim-blaming, and shows male bias in religious leadership”.