![KartikaSari-HARIANMETRO[1]](http://www.transracial.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/KartikaSari-HARIANMETRO1.jpg "KartikaSari-HARIANMETRO[1]")
The innocent-looking woman above is now one of Malaysia’s most notorious criminals — the first woman in the country’s history to be sentenced to caning (yes, caning!) for drinking alcohol at a local beach resort.
Indeed, 32 year-old Kartika Sari Dewi Sukharno — a mother of two and part-time “Islamic” model — was sentenced yesterday to six lashes by cane at a Malaysian womens prison sometime next week.
The totally harsh sentence is the first time such corporal punishment will actually be carried out in Malaysia — and is seen as an example of the growing Islamic influence in this traditionally moderate Muslim nation.
Interestingly, Shukarno — who lives in Singapore and carries a Singaporean passport; but was born in Malaysia — is bravely opting to take the punishment rather than appeal the verdict in order to put the mess behind her.
The whole affair began in July 2008, when Shukarno was arrested during a raid at a hotel nightclub in the Malaysian beach resort of Cherating. Under questioning, Sukarno admitted to drinking beer during the evening.
She was later fined about $1,300 and ordered to recieve six lashes in accordance with Islamic law; Shukarno avoided upto three years in jail for the offense.
Rather than fight the verdict, Sukarno says:
“I accept the punishment…I am not afraid because I was ready to be punished from day one. [The authorities] hope to use my case as a way to educate Muslims. So go ahead. I want to move on with my life.”
Shukharno has brazenly called on Malaysian authorities to flog her in public — so that they can indeed make an example of her case as they’ve stated they desire. Islamic experts, however, have said this is not necessary.
How generous!
Shukharno must report to the Malaysia’s Kajang womens prison on Monday where she will undergo a physical to ensure she is up the the caning, which will be administered by the jail’s female chief administrator.
Stay strong!
PS: We can’t help but wonder: As a pious Muslim (albeit, one who drinks beer), Shukarno was most likely at the resort with her husband? What happened to him during the raid? Were cops only busting the ladies?
We’re on the case…..
Interesting that she has to have a physical to see if she is “up to the caning”… What if she weren’t?
i know
total madness
Malaysia is a “moderate” “Muslim” nation? What a laugh. You guys have obviously not been keeping in touch with all that goes on in that country, to wit: snatching of dead bodies from their families claiming these persons had converted to Islam, forcible destruction of places of worship of other religions, arresting, torturing anyone and evryone who dares criticise the ruling regime, not to mention the endemic and all-prevalent nepotism and corruption up to the top most levels of government. Oh and ask the common man there what he thinks of his head of government; few people in the country sincerely believe that the man is not a murderer. And here you have a young woman who is going to be beaten because she had a pint! What a laugh if it weren’t grimly ironical.
moderate compared to other islamic nations