A leader of Malaysia's Islamist party wants its secular allies to apply strict Sharia law in the country.

The hardline Parti Islam se-Malaysia, which made strong gains in March elections, has enacted laws in five states to punish rapists and adulterers with stoning to death.

Thieves would have hands and arms cut off.

However, the country's federal government has barred the party from enforcing the laws.

PAS and other opposition parties wrested control of five of Malaysia's 13 states in the March election.

Half of Malaysia's 26 million people are ethnic Malays, who are regarded as Muslims.

Sharia laws would not apply to non-Muslims.