Caning of beer drinker delayed
Source: Agencies |
August 25, 2009, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RELIGIOUS authorities in Malaysia postponed yesterday the caning of a Muslim woman convicted of drinking alcohol until after the holy month of Ramadan.
The planned caning of 32-year-old mother of two Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has drawn criticism from rights groups concerned by the rise of Islamic laws in this traditionally moderate country, even though Kartika had accepted the punishment.
Earlier yesterday it appeared she might have been freed when a court order that would have transferred her to a prison where she was to have been caned was ruled invalid by a justice official.
Kartika was released from a van that would have transported her to the prison in Pahang state in eastern mainland Malaysia where she committed the offense.
"The punishment has not been canceled, it was postponed due to Ramadan," said Pahang state Executive Councillor for Religion, Missionary Work and Unity Mohamad Sahfri Abdul Aziz.
Ramadan, a time of fasting and contemplation for Muslims, started last Saturday and lasts a month.
Mohamad Sahfri said that the decision was taken after consultations with Malaysia's Attorney-General.
Kartika, who has admitted that she drank beer at a hotel in December 2007, said that she still accepted the sentence.
"I remain steadfast with my decision," said Kartika, wearing a cream-colored, traditional long Malay dress decorated with flowers and a headscarf.
"All I want now is to know my true situation and do not treat me like a football."
The planned caning of 32-year-old mother of two Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has drawn criticism from rights groups concerned by the rise of Islamic laws in this traditionally moderate country, even though Kartika had accepted the punishment.
Earlier yesterday it appeared she might have been freed when a court order that would have transferred her to a prison where she was to have been caned was ruled invalid by a justice official.
Kartika was released from a van that would have transported her to the prison in Pahang state in eastern mainland Malaysia where she committed the offense.
"The punishment has not been canceled, it was postponed due to Ramadan," said Pahang state Executive Councillor for Religion, Missionary Work and Unity Mohamad Sahfri Abdul Aziz.
Ramadan, a time of fasting and contemplation for Muslims, started last Saturday and lasts a month.
Mohamad Sahfri said that the decision was taken after consultations with Malaysia's Attorney-General.
Kartika, who has admitted that she drank beer at a hotel in December 2007, said that she still accepted the sentence.
"I remain steadfast with my decision," said Kartika, wearing a cream-colored, traditional long Malay dress decorated with flowers and a headscarf.
"All I want now is to know my true situation and do not treat me like a football."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
