Datuk Seri Najib Razak has advised part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to appeal against her caning sentence by the Syariah Court for consuming beer instead of accepting the punishment willingly.
The prime minister’s remarks today appear to suggest he has been forced to wade in over the issue because his government is concerned that it has taken a life of its own with daily reports in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and other foreign publications.
Yesterday, religious authorities gave a last-minute, temporary reprieve in a case that has stirred passions over the increasingly strict enforcement of Islamic law in recent years.
Kartika was detained by prison authorities yesterday but was then released.
Officials say the caning would be carried out after Ramadan. It will be the first caning for a woman under Islamic laws.
The case has been criticised by more liberal Muslims and also non-Muslims who fear Malaysia is drifting from its secular traditions.
Najib’s administration appears to be concerned with the kind of message the sentence sends out to the world as Malaysia has portrayed itself as a model for a moderate and progressive Muslim country.
“I think the affected party should appeal to the state authorities and not be so willing to accept the punishment,” Najib told reporters.
He also expressed confidence that the religious authorities would be considerate.
“There is room for appeal and the state authorities are always considerate on this matter.”
Najib said the federal government could not and would not interfere in the administration of Islamic law.
But he seemed to strongly suggest that the government was working to avoid the sentence from being carried out.
“I believe the authorities concern are sensitive on this matter and realise the implication of this case,” he said.
Kartika was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the cane for drinking beer at a hotel in Najib's home state of Pahang.
Legal experts have criticised the caning as it could open up the state government to legal action.
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Who do you listen to in Malaysia?
One day a minister will say something. Next day the Prime Minister will say somthing on the contrary. The following day a governmant department will carry out its duty that is an amalgam akin to rojak ( a local salad ) of what the others have said.
To sum it up, the government hides in the confusion it itself creates by employing smoke and mirrors tactics as it tries to straddle the middle ground while at the same time playing the race and religion card in order to win back the Malay votes.
However this does not go unnoticed by the investors and business analysts who have their ears on the ground rather than trust the main stream media whose news is censored by the government. In a click of a button, the truth can be revealed and sent zooming across cyberspace around the globe. We now live in a borderless world and the truth will eventually surface no matter how hard one tries to suppress it.
By calling the guilty to make an appeal, it gives the impression that the govt is willing to bend the rules for the guilty!
What a joke!
When the pressure is on, this guy blink.
When worldwide attention is on us, our leader is willing to give up his principle and take the easy way out.
IF an accused had been found guilty, give out the punishment according to the law.
Doing otherwise makes a mockery of the law.
Doing otherwise show me that this guy is not fit to lead.
It was a good thing that i didn't vote for him....and that is the trouble!
To Kartika, you were 'man' enough to face your punishment, you showed us that you are a person of principle, unlike our PM. Now have balls of steel NOT to appeal.
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