Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Explains Intervention

Those who have been following the caning case of Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno already know that the Appeals Panel of the Syariah High Court has decided to proceed with her caning sentence.

This decision to proceed with the caning of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno did not go down well with many parties, including women advocacy groups.  Women’s Aid Organization’s executive director Ivy Josiah expressed disappointment that the application by another advocacy group, Sisters In Islam, for the revision of and stay of execution on Kartika’s caning, had yet to be heard by the Syariah court.

Earlier, Malaysian Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil reiterated that Sisters in Islam has a right to file a revision at the Syariah High Court for a stay of execution in Kartika’s caning case. She said that Sisters In Islam ”is probably looking at the bigger picture.”

So what “bigger picture” is Sisters In Islam looking at?  Zainah Anwar, a board member of Sisters In Islam said: “Foreigners are interested to come to our country because of the moderate image we portray but when they come here, they are shocked to find the level of conservatism being practised. So where is this model Muslim country we have been trying to promote?”

But why is Sisters In Islam interfering with Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno’s right to privacy and her decision to proceed with the caning sentence?  Dr Hamidah Marican, executive director of Sisters In Islam said: “There are also others who have been punished for similar offences and we want to reach out to them as well. The punishment is disproportionate to the crime and we do not want Kartika’s case to set a bad precedent for others out there.” 

Refuting allegation that Sisters In Islam is imposing itself on Kartika, Dr Hamidah Marican said the advocacy group is not imposing anything on Kartika but was championing against the injustice.

Then referring to the Malaysia’s Ciminal Procedure Code Dr Hamidah Marican said that Section 289 of that code specifically prohibited women from caning.

Recently several advocacy groups issued a joint press statment which said: “We further urge the Federal and state governments to conduct a comprehensive review of all laws pertaining to Syariah criminal offences, with a view to repeal such laws.” This group comprises the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), All Women’s Action Society, Women’s Centre for Change, Suara Rakyat Malaysia and the National Human Rights Society in addition to Sisters In Islam.

But not everyone is supportive of Sisters In Islam.  In Terengganu, the Islamic party, PAS, said that Sisters In Islam should leave the Kartika’s caning issue alone.  It accuses Sisters In Islam of having “international links with movements that resist Islam.”

Meanwhile the Prisons Department says it is waiting for orders from the Syariah Court to carry out the caning sentence meted out to Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.

Earlier posts

Kartika Case – Caning Sentence Upheld
Model Caning Case – Kartika All Prepared
Kartika’s Caning – Sisters In Islam Intervenes
Kartika Wants Caning Sentence To Be Carried Out
Caning A Woman Under Syariah Law
Model Caning Case – Malaysian Prison Authorities Ready To Cane
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?