State executive councillor, Asri Mat Daud said the state’s shariah criminal law that was amended in 2017 already allowed public whipping for certain offences.

In a statement yesterday, he was hopeful the Terengganu action would be pursued in Kelantan “once proper procedures are in place”.

Asri described Terengganu’s public whipping — conducted at a mosque on a repeat khalwat offender — as a serious and effective step towards educating society.

The man, Affendi Awang, 42, was the first person in Terengganu to be caned in public. He was given six strokes of the rotan before 90 witnesses.

Asri noted that sentences of whipping, carried out behind closed-doors in prisons and involving only prison wardens, had long been in practice.

Shifting to public whipping under shariah guidelines, with up to 70 permitted witnesses, was in line with Islamic principles, he said.

“Kelantan congratulates Terengganu for implementing a punishment that educates society more effectively and adheres to shariah standards.

“There is no need for misleading narratives or politicising shariah methods that follow established SOPs. Instead, all parties should trust the Terengganu government to execute this responsibly,” he added.

On Thursday, the Terengganu government said it remained committed to conducting the public caning despite widespread criticism. Executive councillor Khalil Abdul Hadi said it demonstrated the state government’s commitment to strengthening shariah laws in Terengganu.