Remember Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, the Muslim woman caught for drinking alcohol and sentenced by a Syariah court to a fine of RM5,000 and 6 strokes of the cane? She pleaded guilty, paid the fine, and asked to be cane publicly. Despite urgings by several parties, including the Prime Minister and some of his cabinet colleagues and several NGOs like Sisters In Islam and the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), she refused to lodge an appeal against the caning sentence. Following public and international media coverage, the Syariah court did review its own ruling, and an appeals panel had ruled that the original sentence was valid.
Recently 14 other NGOs and some politial parties (including Johor Baru UMNO Youth and Wanita UMNO) filed police reports against Sisters In Islam and JAG. They urged the authorities to punish Sisters In Islam and JAG for questioning the caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, an action deemed by them to be insulting Islam. Now police have called up 2 senior officials of Sisters In Islam for questioning in relation to a possible charge under Section 4(i)(a) of the Sedition Acts. This follows the joint call by Sisters In Islam and JAG for a review of Syariah laws relating to caning as punishment for Muslims.
Sisters In Islam’s executive director Hamidah Marican and another director Zaniah Anwar went to the legal prosecution division of the Ciminsal Investigations Department (CID) to record their statements. Masjaliza Hamzah, Programme Manager (Research and Publications) at Sisters In Islam later issued a press statement, wishing that no further action would be taken against the organization after this.
The press statement went on to say: “We would like to reiterate that within the framework of a democratic society, there must be an open, responsible, rational and respectful dialogue on Islam and its impact on our lives both private and public.”
In an interview with The Nut Graph, Masjaliza Hamzah said “We have never been called in for questioning by the police. There have been a lot of general complaints against us but it has always been in the public sphere.” She added that groups trying to silence Sisters In Islam are now using the police against the organization. Masjaliza Hamzah claimed that todate there are more than 50 police reports lodged against Sisters In Islam and JAG.
Masjaliza Hamzah added: “The police reports against Sisters In Islam and JAG marks the beginning of more formal ways to silence civil society groups like ours to talk about issues affecting Muslims.”
Calling this police action as an attempt by NGOs and individuals to use state mechanizms to silence views they did not agree with, Masjaliza Hamzah said: “This is an attempt to police our opinion and thought, a way for certain segments of society to narrow down the space for diversity of opinion in Islam.” Describing the many filings of police reports against Sisters In Islam and JAG as a concerted effort, Masjaliza Hamzah said: “Police reports were lodged at different places in Malaysia. This is not purely random.”
Referring to a recent call by the opposition Islamic party, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and others to investigate Sisters In Islam for possible anti-Islamic activities, Masjaliza Hamzah said: “We think that principles of equality and justice are an important part of Islam. I wonder what about these two fundamental principles that all these groups find offensive? What is wrong with saying that equality, justice, freedom and dignity are part of the message of the Quran?”
Think about it. Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno must be one very bewildered person. She wants the caning to be carried out swiftly so she can move on in life. Yet she does not know when this will happen, or if it will happen. Meanwhile her case has been debated in cyberspace, in blogosphere, in newspapers, in Parliament, and now, perhaps heading to the court. Is Masjaliza Hamzah right in concluding that the use of state mechanisms like the police and the courts are concerted attempts to narrow down the space for diversity of opinions in Islam? Is she right also in saying that equality, justice, freedom and dignity are part of the message of the Quran (Koran)? And is there anything criminal in what Sisters In Islam and JAG had done or said that warrants an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department of the police?
Earlier posts
Kartika Caning – Now Sisters In Islam Queried In Parliament
Kartika Caning – Why Prevent Open Discussion?
Kartika Caning – MP Targes Sisters In Islam
Kartika Caning – UMNO Weighs In
Kartika Caning – Battle Line Drawn
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Explains Intervention
Kartika Case – Caning Sentence Upheld
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?
this must be more cruel than the sentence, whack the lady and get it over with.