KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — Women’s rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) has today questioned the newly enforced Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, raising concerns over its enforcement which came into effect yesterday.

The group said the law does not reflect an inclusive, progressive and tolerant Islam but merely showcases Islam as a punitive religion.

This, it said, was because very few Muslims have the courage to question, challenge or even discuss matters of religion, even when they doubt teachings that appear unjust and incongruous to changing times and circumstances.

“Furthermore, we also find these developments concerning and dangerous as they violate fundamental principles of democracy by suppressing critical thought and expression through arbitrary provisions and punishing those who do not toe the line,” the group said in a statement here.

This as Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob was quoted as saying that the enforcement of the enactment was aimed at educating and bringing offenders back to the right path of Islam, not merely punishing them.

“What does restorative and retributive actually mean in this context?