So now 3 totally unknown, unnamed and unexpected Muslim women have beaten Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to become the first woman to be caned in Malaysia. Following Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s announcement of the caning of 3 Muslim women for engaging in illicit sex, news that Malaysia has joined other Muslim nations in caning women spread round the world. The case was reported online by the Wall Street Journal, the Japan Today, Fox News, Christian Science Monitor, The Jakarta Post, etc. Now the Malaysian authorities seems to be doing some damage control.
First, there was this news conference, convened at the women’s prison by the Prison Department, where only reporters from local, government-linked media are invited. There the 3 women who were caned were showcased under the watchful eyes of the prison authorities. And the reason why foreign reporters were not invited? According to a Prison Department official, this was because the women were reluctant to speak to other media.
So what took place at the press conference? One unidentified 17-year old woman said: “I deeply regret my actions as I should have married before having sex.”
How was she caught? Well, she claimed that she voluntarily turned herself in to the authorities after she lost her baby during childbirth at her school. That was in December last year.
The second woman also had a similar story to tell. She too said she voluntarily turned herself in to the authorities due to feelings of guilt after having illicit sex resulting in pregnancy.
The third woman also had a child out of wedlock following illicit sex.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said: “Even though the caning did not injure them, the three women said it caused pain within their souls.” He added that the caning sentences were “carried out perfectly”.
The second sign of some form of damage control comes from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said: ”The punishment is legitimate and in accordance with the law.” Then he added quickly that explanation was needed “because this is rather new.”
Who then should do the explanation? Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said: “The important thing now is for state Islamic religious departments, perhaps with cooperation from federal agencies, to help enhance understanding about the sentence.”
But why is explanation needed? Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said: “The caning punishment meted out by the Syariah court is legal and how the international community looks at it, is up to them. But I believe it is important that authorities make an effort to explain the procedure because it is far different from the impression many have. While the caning sentence meted out by civil courts can cause hurt and sometimes even death, caning according to Syariah law is light. It is more to educate and remind Muslims to honour and abide by their religion.”
Yet another sign of being in damage control mode comes from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein himself. In announcing the caning of the 3 Muslim women, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said: “I hope this will not be misunderstood, so that it defiles the sanctity of Islam. The punishment is to teach and give a chance to those who have fallen off the path to return and build a better life in the future.”
But why the need at damage control? P Gunasegaram, Managing Editor of The Star summarized the worries of other Malaysians this way: “With three women already having been caned for illicit sex, the way has been paved for more caning of women in the future. That will not endear Malaysia to Malaysians, let alone foreigners who are inevitably going to equate us with the Taliban. And who can blame them? And are we going to go further down the slippery road and cane women for dressing immodestly too, as has been done in some countries?”
Perhaps the last words should also go to P Gunasegaram. He said: “There are already indications that Malays, especially women, are migrating and leaving their homeland, not because they don’t have opportunities here but because as Muslims, their personal freedom is restricted – and there is danger that it will be curtailed even more.”
Think about it. Is P Gunasegaram right in saying that Malays, especially women, are migrating and leaving Malaysia because as Muslims, their personal freedom is restricted? Is Malaysia going to go down that slippery road and cane women for dressing immodestly, or, as in the case of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, for drinking alcohol?
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This post is skewed towards defending the decisions of the Syariah Court. I think some credit should go to P. Gunasegaram for bringing out the slippery slope argument- it is true that over the years it might escalate to a point where physical punishment be given out on unallowed behaviour. Our actions should reflect personal conduct and individual choice, rather than for it to be forced upon us out of the lack of choices.