Thursday August 27, 2009
Kartika now in better state of mind, says dad
By CHAN LI LEEN
KUALA KANGSAR: Shukarno Abdul Mutalib is relieved to see that his daughter Kartika Sari Dewi’s behaviour has changed for the better ever since the whipping sentence imposed on her was highlighted by the local and international media.
In the past, Kartika would weep constantly and insist that she be whipped for her wrongdoings but now she appeared to be calmer, he said.
“At least now, she has agreed to meet with officials from Jakim (the Islamic Religious Development Department of Malaysia),” Shukarno told reporters after Jakim assistant director (akidah) Halim Ahmad and two female religious teachers paid his family a visit at his resort-cum-home in Kampung Jawang near here yesterday.
Courtesy call: Halim (left) meeting Shukarno at his resort-cum-home in Kampung Jawang near Kuala Kangsar Wednesday as the two religious teachers from the department look on. Kartika (inset) was believed to be in Ipoh when the officials came for a visit. The 32-year-old part time model was believed to have gone to Ipoh in the morning to get medical treatment for one of her daughters.
“We discussed how to get Kartika through this traumatic experience but nothing was said about making an appeal,” Shukarno said when asked about the meeting between him and the Jakim officials.
Halim said he had advised the family to remain strong, adding that they should heed any advice given by the Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria.
Pahang religious officers had produced an arrest warrant on Monday to take Kartika to the Kajang Prison to undergo her punishment. However, the van carrying Kartika made a U-turn after a short distance and took her home.
They told Shukarno that the punishment could not be carried out due to orders from the higher authorities.
“There are calls for us to appeal but we do not know how to go about it. That is one of the reasons why we have consulted people who are experts in Islam, like the Perak Mufti,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has expressed discontent over the manner in which case was handled.
He added that while he did not want to comment on the decision of the court, he was disappointed at the authorities’ indecisiveness in carrying out their duties.
“One moment, they want to carry out the caning sentence and the next moment, she is sent home.
“All this will destabilise the court,” Nik Abdul Aziz told reporters after chairing the exco meeting in Kota Baru yesterday.
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