The case of Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno’s caning for consuming alcohol in public has now taken a new twist. Yesterday, a prison van came to her home to transport her to prison. But the van returned shortly after leaving her home and released her. That leaves Kartika perplexed: “I do not know in what situation I’m in. I’m clueless. I do not know if I am freed, I am in limbo”.
One official explained that the reason her caning has been postponed is because “the warrant cannot be executed.” Other officials added that it will be carried out after the current Muslim fasting month of Ramadan But who ordered this temporary reprieve? One source said it was for compassionate reasons on the advice of the attorney general. Another attributed this to advice from the syariah chief judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunus.
The New Straits Times thinks that the state syariah appellate court is going to call the case for revision. If true, this will be a step towards burying the whole affair that threatens to damage Malaysia’s international standing.
What do Malaysians think of this case? Haslinah Yaacob, vice president for the All Women’s Action Society said: “Regardless of whether or not such penalties fall under Syariah law or civil law, we believe that these should be repealed, as they go against the fundamental human right to be free from torture and violence.” Lawyer Pawancheek Marican who is also a part-time professor of Islamic studies said: “Among Muslims scholars we are not happy with the way the sentence has been meted out. But no one is questioning the law.” He added that the judge should not have ordered her to be caned as she is a first-time offender who had admitted her guilt and has already paid a fine. However other Islamic scholars have backed the sentence.
Think about it. This whole saga is taking many twists and turns. Will Kartika be finally caned? Or are the authorities working something that will solve the problem amicably for all parties and spare Malaysia from embarrassment? But how did the authorities get into this situation in the first place?
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Kartika, although a sinner in the eyes of the interpreters of Sharia Law is a very astute manager of popular opinion. Her option to reject an appeal against this sentence has the ‘old men’ law makers ducking for cover in search of a solution to prevent the Malaysian Government looking like the Taliban. She represents a new way of thinking by young Malays and Malaysians and has showed that she is much brighter than her moral protectors. If she does not run for political office after this incident I hope she makes a lot of money from writing about it. This is just one of the many Malaysian issues that need to be discussed openly.