Kartika makes police report over her caning confusion

(Bernama) – Part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was sentenced by the Kuantan Syariah Court to receive caning for drinking beer at a public place, today lodged a police report on the "confusion" over her sentencing.

She made the report at the Kuala Kangsar district police headquarters at 12.30pm to state that she had not run away from the sentence.

The confusion arose while she was being taken to Kajang Prison in Selangor today to be remanded for a week before receiving the sentence, but was released 30 minutes later by officers from the Pahang Religious Affairs Department (Jaip).

Her father, Shukarno Abdul Muttalib, said three Jaip officers took Kartika from the family home here but sent her back half an hour later, saying the sentence could not yet be carried out.

Met by reporters at the house, Shukarno said he was told that the action was taken after the Jaip officers received an order from the higher-ups to release Kartika.

Shukarno said he did not understand what was happening and feared that the authorities might accuse his daughter of running away from being sentenced for her offence.

He said because of that, he advised Kartika to make the police report.

On July 18, Kartika, 32, was fined RM5,000 and ordered to receive six strokes of the cane by the Kuantan Syariah High Court for drinking beer at a hotel in Cherating last year.

She shocked the public by saying that she wanted the sentence to be speeded up as a lesson for herself and others.

Yesterday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil advised Kartika to apply for a judicial review of her case or make an appeal against the caning sentence.

Amnesty International had earlier condemned the caning sentence on Kartika as it could jeopardise Malaysia's reputation as a moderate Muslim country.