Caning reaches ‘epidemic levels’ in Malaysia

CANING in Malaysia has “hit epidemic proportions” with thousands of people subjected every year to beatings which leave permanent physical and mental scars, Amnesty International has said.

The group yesterday called on the government to immediately end the practice of judicial caning, which is meted out for immigration offences as well as more serious crimes like murder and rape.

“Caning in Malaysia has hit epidemic proportions,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director. “In every case that we examined, the punishment amounted to torture, which is absolutely prohibited under any circumstances.”