Caning is also a punishment meted out for vandalism and molest.
As regards the latter, we must bear in mind that molest is a charge
that usually hinges on one person's word against the other, and the
Singapore Courts have been known to favour the woman's testimony
despite the principle that a person must be proven to be guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt. Let's not be blind to the notion of
miscarriage of justice, particularly in our country where the
emphasis is on "efficiency".
Bottom line is that a State should not be sanctioned to inflict
barbaric punishment, no matter the offence. Caning is a medieval
measure for medieval times. The death penalty is barbaric too and
should be abolished as well. Deterrent sentencing is just the easy
way out and a reflection of unprogressive thinking.
