Wednesday August 26, 2009
Shahrizat lauds decision to defer caning
Kartika's whipping sentence deferred for review
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pahang Syariah Appeal Court’s decision to defer part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno’s sentence is a positive move, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
“A lot of people have negative things to say about it but I want to commend the steps taken by the court,” she said.
Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Shahrizat said she was relieved with the court’s decision as many Malaysians, including herself, was of the opinion that the sentence was rather “extreme.”
“The issue has attracted the attention of several parties, especially the foreign media, and there is a perception that the administration of the Syariah laws is cruel, especially to women,” Shahrizat, who is also Wanita Umno chief, said.
No change of heart: Kartika speaking to the press while her father Shukarnor looks on at their house in Kampung Jawang near Kuala Kangsar Tuesday. Meanwhile in Ipoh, Kartika said she was adamant about getting herself whipped as punishment for consuming beer in public.
“The moment the judge passed the sentence that I was guilty, I was prepared to be whipped,” she told reporters at her home in Kampung Jawang near Kuala Kangsar yesterday.
“Even now, my view has not changed.”
She said she respected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s opinion that she should appeal, but she was firm on her decision.
“If they say that my sentence will be carried out after Ramadan, then so be it. However, the Pahang Reli-gious Department has yet to contact me to tell me personally that my punishment has been deferred,” she said.
Kartika later admitted that she felt insulted by the department’s decision to punish her only to defer it.
“I just want everything to return to normal. The trial had been too much for me to bear. I was forced to leave my children behind in Singa-pore and commute back and forth to attend court hearings,” she said, adding that she also quit her job as a result of the pressure.
Her father Shukarnor Abdul Mutalib said Kartika was not in the right frame of mind currently.
“She is confused. All she does is cry and keeps repeating that she wants to be whipped,” he said.
However, he said, it was up to her whether or not to appeal against the sentence.
“All I am concerned about is that she should strictly follow the law but it seems that the Syariah law is not uniform in the country.”
Shukarnor said he and his daughter had earlier sought the advice and views of Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria at the latter’s office here yesterday afternoon.
“The mufti has agreed to speak to his counterpart in Pahang,” he added.
Related Stories:
Bar Council: Whipping cruel and inhuman
It may be a harsh sentence, says Mahathir
PM: Corporal punishment must be the last resort
The Home Ministry needs to carry out study before caning Kartika, says Hisham
News Poll
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Teoh Beng Hock exhumed for second autopsy (Update)
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Foreign woman falls to death at high-end condo
- Fresh polls in six to eight months if new mechanism used
- Settle RM57, 5As pupil told High scorer can’t collect result slip
- Eli’s ex still being sought by cops
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- 10 states see increase in number of dengue cases
- AirAsia launches new flights to three Indian cities
- Teoh Beng Hock exhumed for second autopsy (Update)
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Take care of yourself first
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- 15-year-old held for trying to kill mum with acid-laced sarong
RSS
