Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia’s Aceh province has issued a new law under which poachers who threaten endangered wildlife could receive up to 100 lashes, which is usually reserved for morality crimes under Islamic law.
Aceh is the only region in Indonesia - the world's biggest Muslim-majority country - to impose religious law.
The new rules, adopted last week, mark the first time that crimes against wildlife fall under Aceh's strict sharia code.
The punishment is expected to come into effect early next year.
Violators will receive up to 100 strokes in addition to any prison time under national law.
Civil servants charged with protecting animals could be whipped as many as 60 times if they are found to be negligent in their duties.
Aceh lawmaker Nurzahri said the harsh new punishment underscores efforts to clamp down on poaching and other threats to local wildlife.
Aceh is the centre of biodiversity in Sumatra and it is the habitat of some animals like Sumatran orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers./
Aceh is the only region in Indonesia - the world's biggest Muslim-majority country - to impose religious law.
The new rules, adopted last week, mark the first time that crimes against wildlife fall under Aceh's strict sharia code.
The punishment is expected to come into effect early next year.
Violators will receive up to 100 strokes in addition to any prison time under national law.
Civil servants charged with protecting animals could be whipped as many as 60 times if they are found to be negligent in their duties.
Aceh lawmaker Nurzahri said the harsh new punishment underscores efforts to clamp down on poaching and other threats to local wildlife.
Aceh is the centre of biodiversity in Sumatra and it is the habitat of some animals like Sumatran orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers./
VNA
