KUALA LUMPUR The spiritual leader of Malaysia's opposition Islamic party has urged the federal government to publicly stone rapists to death, a report said Saturday.

The call by Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also chief minister of eastern Kelantan state ruled by the hardline Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), followed tougher penalties to be imposed against offenders.

Under proposed amendments, those committing rape that results in death will face the gallows while incestual rapists will be jailed for up to 30 years, from 20 years currently, and given a minimum of 10 strokes of the cane.

The cabinet has also decided that offenders aged 50 and above, who were previously spared from whipping, were now liable to be whipped.

Outdated and uncivilised

But Nik Aziz said extending jail terms was insufficient.

"Even if a convicted rapist is sentenced to 50 years' jail, the punishment is still not in accordance with Islam," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

"Some people may say sentencing to death by stoning is outdated. But we must bear in mind that rape, illicit sex and incest are also uncivilised."

Asked if stoning rapists to death would solve the problem, he said it was the best deterrent and aimed at carrying out the laws of God.

"Islam requires the stoning to be done in public. It is for the people to see the pain so that they can learn from it," he said. "If punishment is done quietly, there will be no end to the problem."

PAS, which rules Kelantan and also neighbouring Terengganu state, has been at the forefront of pushing for syariah criminal law that prescribes amputation and death by stoning for lawbreaking Muslims.

Syariah laws

PAS tried in 1993 to impose syariah law in Kelantan but the move was vetoed by the federal government. Last year, it approved a bill to enact syariah law in Terengganu.

Muslims make up 60 percent of Malaysia's 23 million people, but syariah law has been opposed by members of the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

Syariah law covers civil matters such as divorce for Malaysian Muslims but is not part of the criminal code under the federal government. AFP