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Malaysian Woman Sentenced To Caning; Syariah Judge Says Sentence Is Illegal

By Howard M. Friedman

In Malaysia, 32-year old Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, a Muslim woman, has become the first woman sentenced under the country's Islamic law to caning for drinking alcohol. Reuters reported Friday that Kartika-- who in 2007 was caught drinking beer at a hotel bar in Kuantan-- has defiantly asked that her punishment be carried out in public. She will be fully clothed when the six strokes will be applied with moderate force. She has also paid a fine of $1420. Meanwhile today's New Straits Times carries an analysis by Terengganu Chief Syariah Judge Datuk Ismail Yahya who says that the caning is illegal because under Malaysian law, only a person in jail can be caned and Kartika was not given a jail sentence.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 22, 2009 (boomark / email).