KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights groups yesterday condemned the caning of three Muslim women for having extramarital sex, the first time the punishment has been carried out in Malaysia.

The women were caned at a women's prison near Kuala Lumpur on Feb 9 after being convicted in an Islamic Shariah court of having sex outside of marriage.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced the punishment on Wednesday, reviving speculation that conservative Islamists, who advocate harsh punishment, are gaining influence.