Caning Cases – Now It’s Man’s Turn

The same Islamic Court presided by the same judge that sentenced Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno in July to a fine and six strokes of the cane for drinking alcohol has just convicted odd-job worker Nazarudin Kamaruddin to six strokes of the cane and one year’s imprisonment for drinking “samsu”, a cheap local liquor, at a restaurant.

Judge Abdul Rahman Mohd Yunos of the Shariah High Court in central Pahang state condemned Nazarudin for dishonoring Ramadan by not fasting and by consuming alcohol in public.  The judge added that Nazarudin Kamaruddin led an aimless life and did not have a steady job. He migrated to Malaysia from Indonesia 33 years ago when he was 13 years old and is now a permanent resident of Malaysia.  

Later Judge Abdul Rahman Mohd Yunos said that the sentence meted out to Nazarudin Kamaruddin “is not meant as punishment but to serve as a lesson.”  This is consistent with comments made on the sentence given to Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.

Malaysia has now achieved another first that it can do without.  Nazarudin Kamaruddin has become the first person to be jailed for consuming alcohol in Pahang state in central Malaysia.  Meanwhile Malaysia will achieve another unwanted first if Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno becomes the first woman to be caned after the end of Ramadan.

Think about it.  Is Malaysia in danger of losing its image as a moderate Muslim country soon?  If not, what can be done to preserve that image, and who can do that?

Earlier posts

Caning A Woman Under Syariah Law
Model Caning Case – Malaysian Prison Authorities Ready To Cane
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?
Model Caning Case – Latest Developments
To Cane Or Not?
New Twist In Malaysian Model Caning Case