Kartika Caning – MP Targets Sisters In Islam

Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno must be feeling very bewildered.  Hardly a week goes by without some news on her.  And this despite her plea to be left alone, and her decision not to appeal the caning sentence for drinking alcohol, and her wish for the caning to be carried out quickly so she can put all this behind her and go on with her life.

Recently, 14 Muslim NGOs have lodged a police report against Sisters In Islam and the Joint Action Group Against Violence Against Women (JAG) and various other NGOs for insulting Islamic law and the Syariah Court through their persistent questioning of, and attempts at rescinding, the caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno .

Separately, Johor Baru UMNO Youth and Wanita UMNO lodged police reports against JAG alleging that JAG’s action shows a lack of respect for the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers as the heads of Islam in the country, besides provoking the emotions of Muslims and therefore leading to religious conflict that may rock the communal harmony in this country. UMNO is the dominant partner in the Barisan Nasional coalition that rules Malaysia.

Now Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin of the opposition Partai Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party has gone one step further.  He called on the National Fatwa Council to investigate and declare Sisters in Islam (and others) as deviant Islamic groups and to take action accordingly.

According to MP Zulkifli Noordin, critising and questioning the punishments and its execution passed by the Syariah High Court on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is like questioning the Federal Constitution and the syariah laws.

And he added that “this is clearly an insult to Islam”. He called for a committal proceedings to be held against Sisters In Islam (and others) for insulting the Syariah High Court. 

Sisters In Islam recently intervened in the caning case of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno. It filed an application for a stay of execution and a review of the caning sentence on ground that this is of national interest. It said that caning Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for drinking alcohol would undermine the efforts of the Malaysian government in portraying Malaysia as a moderate Islamic country. 

However Sisters In Islam also called for a review of caning as a form of punishment.  This call obviously did not go down well with MP Zulkifli Noordin, Johor Baru UMNO Youth & Wanita UMNO, and the 14 Muslim NGOs who view it as insulting the Syariah High Court.

The application filing by Sisters In Islam has been rejected, which means it will not be heard by the Syariah High Court.

Think about it.  This caning case of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is now a battle between moderate and conservative Muslims.  Who will win, and what does that mean to Muslims in Malaysia, and to the country? MP Zuldifli Noordin said that the action taken by Sisters In Islam (and others) is like questioning the Federal Constitution and the syariah laws.  Is it wrong to ask questions?  Doesn’t the Federal Constitution forbid caning of women?

Earlier posts

Kartika Caning – UMNO Weighs In
Kartika Caning – Battle Line drawn
Kartika Caning – Sisters In Islam Explains Intervention
Kartika Caning _ Sisters In Islam Intervenes
Kartika Caning Case – Caning Sentence Upheld
Model Caning Case – Kartika All Prepared
Model Caning Case – Malaysian Prison Authorities Ready To Cane
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?