Caning Cases – Now It’s Couple Turn

Malaysia is in the limelight once again.  The holy month of Ramadan is over and if you have been following caning cases in Malaysia, you will know that Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno may very soon be the first woman to be caned in Malaysia for drinking alcohol.  The Shariah High Court in Pahang had postponed her caning during the holy month of Ramadan and is reviewing her caning sentence.  The outcome of this review will determine whether Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno gets into the history book as the first woman to be caned in Malaysia. Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was sentenced to a monetary fine and 6 strokes of the cane.

A few days ago, the same Islamic court convicted odd-job worker Nazarudin Kamaruddin to six strokes of the cane and one year’s imprisonment for drinking liquor, at a restaurant.

Now a different Islamic court in a different Malaysian state has sentenced an unmarried Muslim couple each to a fine of RM5,000 (approximately US$1,430) and 6 strokes of the cane for attempting to have sex in their car. They were not caught in the very act, but the circumstances at the scene of their arrest strongly suggested the intention to carry out that act.  The couple were both caught dressed only in their undergarments inside their car at an office parking lot.

The couple,  Mohamad Shahrin Abdul Majid, 29, and Nadiah Najat Hussin, 24, have each paid their fine, and both are appealing the caning sentence to the Shariah High Court in central Selangor.

The basis of their appeal is that they are about to be engaged and the wedding date has been fixed for February next year.  The judge hearing the appeal application has granted a stay of execution pending the appeal.  The judge also gave advice to the couple: “You are still young… after Hari Raya seek consent from both your parents to marry.”

Think about it.  First it is a woman, then a man, and now a couple all sentence to 6 strokes of the cane.  Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno and Nazarudin Kamaruddin were both caught in the act of drinking alcohol.  Mohamad Shahrin Abdul Majid and Nadiah Najat Hussin were not caught in the sexual act, but of attempting to engage in one.  Why the sudden increase in caning cases in Malaysia?

Earlier posts

Caning Cases – Now It’s Man’s Turn
Kartika Wants Caning Sentence To Be Carried Out
Caning A Woman Under Syariah Law
Model Caning Case – Malaysian Prison Authorities Ready To Cane
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno