Illicit sex lashed

KUALA LUMPUR (AP) - A proposal to punish extra-marital sex with whipping will be presented to a state assembly in Malaysia. An official said the proposed penalty, which will apply only to Muslims, consists of a fine of 5,000 ringgit ( pounds 1,063), three years in jail or six strokes of the cane - or all three.

The current penalty for zina or illicit sex is a 1,000-ringgit fine, two years in jail, or both. Men who force their wives or children to become prostitutes will face the same penalty.