Misquote the Koran in Malaysia? You Can Now Go to Jail for That

If you abuse the Koran in Malaysia, the government can now take action against you. But what exactly does "abuse" include? Misquoting it for one.

According to the state news agency Bernama, residents can now suffer a year in jail, a fine, or both if they are found abusing the Koran. The government reportedly came to that conclusion after a special conference of the National Fatwa Council in December, which discussed issues that included abuse of Koranic verses.

"The muzakarah agreed that non-Muslims who cite Quranic verses according to their own understanding without sincerity is an affront to the sanctity of al-Quran and can cause doubt and slander in society," minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom told Bernama.

The site explains:

Jamil said that any person who caused disharmony in society could be charged under Section 298 and 298A (1) of Penal Code (Revised) 1997.

"Under Section 298, those who hurt the religious feelings of others whether by words, action, sounds or signals shall be sentenced not more one year's jail or fine or both.

"Those who cause disharmony, discord, enmity and hatred on religious grounds can be jailed not less two years' and not more five years' under Section 298A (1) of Penal Code.

Read the full story from Bernama.