Singaporean Model to be caned after drinking beer

From: "Dr. Sir John Howard, AC, WSCMoF"
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:12:27 +1000
Local: Tues, Jul 21 2009 8:12 pm
Subject: Singaporean Model to be caned after drinking beer

A RELIGOUS court in Malaysia has sentenced a tearful Singaporean Muslim model to
six strokes of the cane after she drank beer in a nightclub.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol at a hotel
nightclub in the eastern state of Pahang last year, the New Straits Times
newspaper reported.

"We feel the sentence is fair after going through the prosecution's argument and
since the rotan (cane) is provided for in the law," Pahang Sharia High Court
judge Abdul Rahman Yunus said, according to the paper.

"The rotan is aimed at making the accused repent and serves as a lesson to
Muslims," he added, also fining Kartika 5000 ringgit ($1730).

The model, who cried when the judgement was delivered, said she would appeal.

State religious officials could not be reached for comment on the case.

Malaysia, which has large Indian and Chinese minorities freely enjoying alcohol,
has a two-track legal system.

Civil courts operate alongside state-based sharia courts, which can try Muslims
for religious offences.