Kartika Caning – Now Sisters In Islam Queried In Parliament

The caning sentence imposed by a Shariah court on Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for drinking alcohol has taken another twist.  Whereas previously Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin of the opposition Partai Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) called  on the National Fatwa Council to investigate and declare Sisters In Islam (and others) as deviant Islamic groups and to take action accordingly, now he has tabled a resolution in the Malaysian Parliament to discuss Sisters in Islam.

MP Zulkifli Noordin wanted the Home Ministry to start investigating Sisters In Islam for activities contrary to Islamic law. First he questioned how the label “Islam” appears in the name of Sisters In Islam, a female advocacy group.  MP Zulkifli Noordin said that is registered as a company and its registered name is SiS Forum Malaysia Sdn Bhd. He wanted to know whether the Malaysian Government intends to prohibit this entity from using the word “Islam” in its name when its official registered name does not have this label.

Secondly, MP Zulkifli Noordin also asked if the Malaysian Government plans to refer Sisters In Islam to the National Fatwa Council for it to investigate and declare Sisters In Islam as a deviant Muslim group.

Lastly, MP Zulkifli Noordin wanted the Home Ministry to carry out a thorough investigation on the source of funds for Sisters In Islam.  According to MP Zulkifli Noordin, these sources of funds include the Rockefeller Foundation (US) and Konrad Adenaeur Foundation (Germany), both of which are non-Islamic organizations.

According to Parliamentary Standing Order, all motions and private members’ bills can only be submitted to the House after all government matters had been attended to. So far Parliament has not finished attending to government matters.

Think about it.  The caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has now found its way into Parliament where questions are being asked concerning Sisters In Islam. But will Parliament have time to discuss this private motion?  And the prolonged silence on whether Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is to be caned, and if so, when seems to indicate that this is simply too hot a potato for everyone involved.  Expect more twists and turns in this case.

Earlier posts

Kartika Caning – Why Prevent Open Discussion?
Kartika Caning – What’s At Stake?
Kartika Caning – MP Targets Sisters In Islam
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Explains Intervention
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters InIslam Intervenes