PETALING JAYA, 18 Nov 2009: Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno should already have been caned by now according to the law, the Kuantan syariah court and a syariah lawyer said. “Initially there was this issue of syubahah (doubt) in the implementation of the sentence. But the prisons department has already assured us that it has syariah-compliant […]
whipping
Torture by any other fashion
By Jacqueline Ann SurinIF we were to believe everything we read, one would think that torture or degrading behaviour, if done differently, would no longer constitute torture or degrading behaviour. Indeed, this is what Pahang’s Mufti Department would want Muslims and non-Muslims to believe. Scan of New Straits Times report on syariah caning On 26 Oct 2009, the […]
Allow open discussion on Kartika case
By Datuk Ambiga SreenevasanIn the past, lawyers were largely at the forefront of such criticisms. However, with the information age and globalisation, there is a rising tide of awareness among the public in Malaysia. It is heartening to see the public join in the outcry against injustice and unjust laws. It is stimulating to read arguments for and […]
Whipping Kartika
By Deborah LohTHE Pahang Syariah High Court‘s sentencing of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to whipping and a RM5,000 fine for drinking beer has thrown up all kinds of issues. As pointed out by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) in a 25 Aug 2009 memorandum to the prime minister, “the implementation of these [syariah] laws […]
Signs of the times
By Zedeck SiewMALAYSIA’S 52nd anniversary of independence is upon us. 2009 has thus far already been tumultuous for our nation, with political infighting, rising criminality, mysterious deaths in custody, delayed whippings, and by-elections galore. We’ve also seen crowds running in the face of teargas canisters. State assemblypersons under a tree, in full regalia. Clandestine camera phone stills […]
Flipping on whipping
By Shanon Shah“The punishment must be more educational rather than causing hurt to a woman to make her reform… So far nobody, not even a male, has been whipped under the Syariah in Malaysia.” PAS central working committee member and Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Dr Lo’ Lo Mohamad Ghazali, on the Kuantan Syariah Court’s whipping sentence on […]
Any difference between Umno and PAS?
By Shanon Shah“The ruling only concerns Muslims and it does not affect the non-Muslims. It is to remind the Muslims not to drink.” PAS vice-president and Kubang Kerian Member of Parliament, Salahuddin Ayub, on the Kuantan Syariah High Court’s decision to sentence Mohamad Nasir Mohamad and Noorazah Baharuddin to a RM5,000 fine and six lashes of the […]
Whipping violates human rights
By Sisters in IslamSISTERS in Islam (SIS) urges the government to review whipping of women as a form of judicial punishment by the syariah courts. Whipping constitutes further discrimination against Muslim women in Malaysia and violates constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination. Only Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan provide whipping of women under their Syariah Criminal Offences Code. Whipping […]
Punishment for syariah crime to be increased?
PUTRAJAYA, 23 April 2009: The punishment for syariah crimes, including whipping, may be increased to curb the rise in such offences in the country. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Maj-Gen (R) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom said the common perception now was that the penalties imposed by the syariah courts were far too light, mostly […]