Kartika Caning – UMNO Weighs In

In a move that is somewhat unexpected, Johor Baru UMNO Youth and Wanita UMNO both lodged a police report against the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG).   They want JAG to be investigated under the Sedition Act for interfering in the caning sentence on Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was sentenced to a fine (which she paid) and 6 lashes of the cane for the offence of drinking alcohol under Islamic law.  The caning sentence was suspended during the holy month of Ramadan, pending a judicial review.  Recently the appeals panel of the Syariah High Court decided to continue with the caning sentence. This has prompted woman advocacy groups like Sisters In Islam and JAG to take legal action to try and get the caning sustence suspended, amended or revoked.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno wants the caning sentence to be carried out quickly so she can get on with her life, but she is no wiser as to when this will happen.  Sisters In Islam meanwhile had its filing application for judical review and stay of execution rejected, so the Syariah High Court will not be hearing its application.

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 .

Now Johor Baru UMNO Youth and Wanita UMNO have lined up on the same side as these 14 Muslim NGOs, and have decided to target JAG.  Wanita Umno chief Salmah Saffar said that JAG has no right to question the decision of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno and her family to accept the sentence. She also said that JAG’s intention to get an order for suspension, amendment or revocation of the caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was dangerous as this challenged the position of Islam as the official religion of the country.

Elaborating further Salmah Saffar said: “JAG’s demand also does not respect 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.”

Johor Baru UMNO Youth chief Khalid Mohamed said that UMNO Youth viewed JAG’s action seriously and hoped the investigation could be done swiftly.

UMNO is the dominant partner in the Barisan Nasional coalition which governs Malaysia.  Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak (who is UMNO’s President)  and some of his cabinet ministers, together with former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have called on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to appeal what they describe as too harsh a sentence for a first offender, but she has refused to do so.  So are Johor Baru UMNO Youth and Wanita UMNO going against its own party elders?

Then again there are other politicians who disagree with JAG.  Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said: “Why question existing laws? JAG just wants to get publicity; they are wasting time, causing heartache and creating an unstable situation.”

Think about it.  What is happening to this caning case involving Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?  What is delaying the caning sentence, since the appeals panel has decided to proceed with the caning, and Sisters In Islam’s filing application for a stay of execution and review of the caning sentence has been rejected. Is JAG doing this for self glory?  Is it wrong under Syariah law to file applications to review, suspend, modify, or set aside a sentence? In what ways can such an action be deemed an offense under the Sedition Act? Or insulting to Islam, the Malay rulers and the King?

Previous posts

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?