PKR rep: Act against SIS

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PETALING JAYA: PKR Member of Parliament Zulkifli Noordin has called on National Fatwa Council to investigate Sisters in Islam (SIS) and other members of the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality for criticising the caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno by the Syariah High Court.

The Kulim Bandar Baru MP said questioning the punishment and its execution was tantamount to questioning the Federal Constitution and the syariah laws.

“This is clearly an insult to Islam. The Fatwa Council should declare these groups as deviant and take necessary action as what was done to Al Arqam, Ayah Pin, Pak Kahar group and others,” he said in a statement on Friday.

On Thursday, SIS was reported as stating that caning Kartika for drinking beer would undermine the Government’s efforts in portraying Malaysia as a moderate Islamic country. They also called for a review of caning as a form of punishment.

Zulkifli said a committal proceeding should be held against the group for allegedly insulting the Kuantan Syariah High Court.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement yesterday, SIS expressed shock that their application for revision on Kartika’s case was turned down by the Assistant Registrar of the Kuantan Syariah High Court on Friday.

SIS executive director Dr Hamidah Marican said the Registrar or any court officer had no right to filter any applications as it was the court’s duty to accept such applications, and for the judiciary to hear all cases.

“The system of filtering of applications has no place in a free and fair judicial system. This erratic action brings disrepute to the Syariah judicial system,” she said in the statement.

Dr Hamidah said their lawyer in Pahang was taken aback when the Assistant Registrar returned all documents filed, together with the court fees paid.

SIS had also asked for a stay of execution on Kartika’s caning in its revision.

“SIS reiterates that the issue of Kartika and caning as a form of criminal punishment has to be resolved through a valid and clear legal process.”

Dr Hamidah said SIS was acting in the public interest and to provide clarity on the legality of the whole court process.