When it comes to having sexual intercourse with a dead body, we thought anyone with a brain would know that it is a huge no. Turns out, that isn’t exactly true. 

Somethings are just naturally wrong, and there is no need for a law to tell you do. However, the increase of cases of people having sexual intercourse with dead body has caused Kelantan to take drastic measures and enact a whole law in the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019 against it.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019 came into force yesterday, after obtaining the consent of the Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V.

He said the method of implementing this enactment was for improvement aimed at rehabilitating and giving awareness to syariah offenders.

"Therefore, for a start, this enactment provides great benefits in strengthening syariah law not only in Kelantan but can be taken advantage of by other states in the country in an effort to further complement the Syariah Criminal Code in Malaysia.

He explained that the law aims to teach, educate and ensure the people comply with religious orders as well as make Islamic law as a guide for life.

"Since PAS was given the mandate by the people to govern Kelantan in 1990, various efforts have been carried out by the committee appointed to realize the dream of implementing Islamic law in the state.

"The Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (Dun) also passed the Syariah Criminal Bill in 1993 and the birth of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Law (II) Enactment 1993. However, the enactment could not be enforced due to certain reasons and obstacles.

Ahmad said the provisions of the enactment were studied, scrutinized and found justified to be improved in accordance with the current social development of society and comply with the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 which empowers Syariah Courts to hear cases where the maximum sentence is three years imprisonment or a fine of RM5,000 or six strokes of the cane or a combination of any of the punishments involved.

For the record, the study for the enactment of the enactment took six years and was tabled in the State Assembly on 14 to 16 October 2019 before getting royal approval on 14 July 2020.

Among the other 24 new provisions are domestic harassment, witchcraft, attempts to convert out of Islam, cosmetic surgery, rebellion against parents, taking the property of orphans, gambling and accusations of adultery and sodomy.