Restorative Sentencing, Increased Penalty Rates Among Main Reforms In Syariah Criminal Offences (kelantan) Bill 2026:

KOTA BHARU, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Restorative sentencing, compoundable offences, and increased penalty rates are among the main reforms in the Syariah Criminal Offences (Kelantan) Bill 2026.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said that for the restorative sentencing reform, the Bill improves the implementation of the community service period, which must be fully completed within one year.

"As for compoundable offences, the Bill includes provisions for the Sultan of Kelantan to determine the types of compoundable offences, procedures, and forms related to compoundable offences through an order published in the gazette.

"Meanwhile, increasing the penalty rates prioritises whipping for severe offences such as attempted apostasy, neglecting a child's creed, the obligation to guard modesty and body parts, consuming intoxicating beverages, gambling, illicit sexual intercourse, and out-of-wedlock pregnancy," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Mohamed Fadzli added that there are six new clauses in the provision, namely neglecting or abandoning obligatory prayers under Clause 10; the offence of the obligation to guard private parts (Clause 15); and the offence of guarding body parts other than private parts (Clause 16).

Additionally, the obligation to protect the intellect from damaging matters (Clause 33); the compounding of Syariah offences (Clause 59); and the compounding power for the relevant authorities (Clause 60).

He stated that among the provisions repealed and re-enacted through the Bill is Section 11 of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (EKJS) 2019 regarding destroying or desecrating places of worship, which has been improved under Clause 12 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Bill 2026 concerning disturbance of places of worship for Muslims.

"Section 14 of the 2019 EKJS concerning sodomy has been repealed but improved under Clause 15 and Clause 16 of the Bill, namely the obligation to guard private parts and guard body parts other than private parts," he said.

Earlier, the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today unanimously passed the Syariah Criminal Offences (Kelantan) Bill 2026, which streamlines and strengthens its structure to be more systematic, clear, and authoritative.

The Bill covers nine parts, 62 clauses, and one schedule with several reforms, including provisions related to the obligation of obligatory prayers, safeguarding of private parts and body parts, protection of the intellect, restorative sentencing, prioritising whipping punishments, and the compounding mechanism.

-- BERNAMA