Malaysia beer woman spared caning

[TommyPaine]

Source: BBC News - Asia/Pacific

Islamic officials in Malaysia have unexpectedly freed Kartika Sari Dewa Shukarno, who was due to be caned six times this week for drinking beer. Ms Kartika pleaded guilty to the offence under Islamic law committed in 2007 and has not appealed her sentence. She would have been the first woman in Malaysia to be punished in such a way.

The case has provoked controversy in a nation where Malays are subject to Islamic law, while the large Chinese and Indian minorities are not. A van had taken her from her northern Malaysian home to put her in detention so that she could be caned sometime this week.

But after half an hour the van returned, with officials saying the sentence would not be carried out. Reuters news agency said she was refusing to leave the van until she had her release confirmed in writing.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8217440.stm

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I found this story curious not just for the religious angle, but because of the ethnic slant--minorities in Malaysia aren't subject to the same laws? What about non-Muslim ethnic Malaysians? Muslim non-ethnic Malaysians?

I also found this snippet amusing: "Islamic authorities claim that the purpose of the caning is to educate rather than punish." Don't Catholic schools use the same line? Or is that a thing of the past...

[rpannier]

1. Those types of laws are not that unusual in this part of the world

Part of the reason for it is to keep the members of the main group in line
It also serves to remind those in the non-main group(s) that they are different (Kind of like High School)
It's usually found in countries that have a reasonably large number of minorities or in countries where there are pockets of the country with a large number of minorities (China)

[Rebubula]

2. Strange thing about laws..

...in Islamic countries relating to locals and foreigners.

I spend a good bit of time in Qatar these days. I can ride in a car with one of my female coworkers ONLY because she is from Sri Lanka. If she were a local Qatarese woman (most of the locals do not work - there is a slave labor class made up of Indians, Pakistanians and others from that region) - I would be unable to ride with her or be alone with her. I would be deported if I violated this law.

Expats can purchase and consume alcohol - but locals are punished.

It is a little weird, but I still really like Qatar.

[blackbart99]

3. OK...she stayed in the van to get it writing?

Did she get it in writing? Smart girl:applause: She likes beer too. awesome:loveya:
Look back into it and let us know if she got it writing. Finish the story.:kick: :thumbsup: :beer:
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

[ohio2007]

4. I'm sure she won't get a midnight knock on the door after "ramadon"...right ?

:sarcasm:

[dipsydoodle]

5. Maybe they simply found out

she's been drinking Budweiser - too weak to count as beer.

[mainer]

6. We drank no problem while in Malaysia.

And Malaysia Airlines serves complimentary beer on its international flights. In fact, I was shocked when a few hours into the flight, the stewardesses came out carrying trays of beer for everyone!

The country truly does manage to blend three different major ethnic groups together with a minimum of friction. If you go into the Chinese areas, you'll see women wearing shorts and skimpy halter tops. And the Hindus are allowed to worship and live according to their own customs. This is how Malaysia manages to stay a business powerhouse. They'd never have come this far if they didn't allow their Chinese and Hindu minorities to function as the savvy businessmen they are.

[ohio2007]

7. You know the old saying ; "Spare the rod, spoil the child"

At least thats the mindset of the prohibitionist states and how women see themselves

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4028150&mesg_id=4028520

They denied her the 15 minutes of Susan B. Anthony public fame she sought but

they'll get her in private after body searching all witnesses for recording devices...



http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=504_1238691910

when the world loses all interest in holding the 'moral highground'