131. Assistance to undefended accused

Without prejudice to section 132, if the accused is undefended, the

Syariah Court may, in its discretion at the close of the evidence of any prosecution witness or at any stage prior to the closure of the case of the prosecution, question the accused as to his defence and as to whether or not he wishes to challenge or supplement any part of the prosecution evidence for the following purposes -

assisting him to cross-examine the witnesses for the prosecution; or

to enable the Syariah Court on behalf of the accused to put to any of such witnesses -

any defence advanced by the accused;