“Critics of the bill warn that it could pave the way for full implementation of hudud, which prescribes punishments such as amputations and stoning, and disrupt the fabric of Malaysia’s multi-cultural and multi-religious society. ‘The so-called “empowerment” of the Shariah Court will only exacerbate the unequal treatment of Muslims and non-Muslims before the law,’ said Bebas, an NGO that organized a smaller counter-rally.”

“No official figures were available on how many people attended Saturday’s peaceful support rally in Kuala Lumpur, but estimates were in the tens of thousands.”

Yes, the problem is just a “tiny minority of extremists,” isn’t it?

“Thousands rally in Malaysia to back Islamic penal code bill,” Reuters, February 18, 2017: