Men in Pahang may face fines or imprisonment for enticing someone's wife

KUANTAN - Muslim men in Pahang can face prosecution for the offence of enticing someone's wife under the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2013.

Pahang state syariah lawyers association Deputy Chairman Mohamed Sazali Abdul Aziz explained that those involved could be prosecuted under Section 44 of the enactment.

According to this section, individuals who entice someone's wife away or cause a wife to run away from her husband, if convicted, may face a fine not exceeding RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or six lashes.

"The court may also order the wife to return or be sent back to her husband," he told Sinar today.

As of now, his party has not received any cases under the relevant section.

Sazali, who is also a member of the Malaysian Bar, mentioned that the state syariah lawyers association has established a free legal service centre for eligible individuals in need.

He clarified that they provide advisory services but do not handle cases at this stage.

"We provide advisory services to those in need, but we do not reach the stage of handling cases," he said.

On Dec 15, the Federal Court declared Section 498 of the Penal Code unconstitutional.

In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat stated that the section conflicted with the constitution as it unlawfully discriminated based solely on gender, contrary to Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution.