PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was sentenced to be caned by the syariah court last month for consuming alcohol in public, should appeal as there is still room to do so.
But the 32-year-old part-time model and mother of two children is adamant about going through with the punishment.
Najib said she should not be too quick and willing to accept the punishment.
“There is still room for appeal as the state authorities have always been sensitive and considerate towards such cases,” Najib said after chairing the National Finance Council’s meeting here yesterday.
 |
| Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno and her father Shukarno Mutalib leaving the Islamic Complex after meeting the Perak mufti yesterday. |
“The stance of the Federal Government is that Islam is a fair and
just religion. I believe that the relevant state authorities understand all the implications arising from this case.”
Kartika was scheduled to be caned at the Kajang women’s prison this week. However, the Pahang Religious Affairs Department
Jaip) postponed the caning on Monday following the advice of
Syariah Chief Judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunus.
The judge had said it was not suitable to carry out caning during
the fasting month.
Pahang Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sahfri Abdul Razak had said the sentence would be carried out after
Ramadan. Jaip will now consult the Syariah Department on a
new date.
Kartika was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the
rotan by the Syariah High Court in Pahang after she pleaded guilty to drinking beer at a hotel nightclub in Cherating at 1.20am on July 12, 2007.
In Ipoh, Kartika said she was firm in her resolve to undergo the
caning sentence, saying she was “ready to face the day of the
caning”.
Kartika, when met at the Islamic Complex after she and her father
Shukarno Mutalib had a private talk with state mufti Tan Sri
Harussani Zakaria, reiterated that she had not changed her mind
about getting caned for the offence.
“I am not appealing or taking any mitigating steps. I am not going to worry about the matter any more.
“After meeting the Perak mufti, I now feel a lot calmer and more at peace with myself,” she said.
Dressed in a light-blue floral baju kebaya, Kartika and Shukarno
spent about 30 minutes with Harussani to discuss her impending
punishment.
“He advised me and my family to turn to God to strengthen our
minds and hearts... (Harussani)told us to let things take their due course. I am going to follow his advice.”
Kartika said she would wait for the day of the caning with patience.
“My family and I will use this fasting month to bring ourselves
closer to God,” said Shukarno.
“In fact, after speaking to the mufti, Kartika and I are already
feeling much better.”
No comments:
Post a Comment