The majority of Malaysians, whether Muslims or not, can't be blamed for thinking that our country is turning back to the dark ages when the Syariah court recently imposed a whipping sentence in addition to a hefty fine of RM5,000 on an ex-model who was caught drinking in public.

Many prominent people have raised their concerns and feel that the punishment is too heavy, especially for a first time offender who had since repented.

But it is stated in the Holy Quran that drinking liquor is the mother of all sins as alcoholics are known to beat up their children and wife and a lot of social ills can be traced back to people who drink liquor excessively.

Liberals Muslims might think that when Muslims drinks, the sin is only between them and God and they do not harm society at large. After all they are not involved in violent crime like murder or rape.

Those who drink also do not steal public funds to build palatial palace for their private abode or dip their hands into state subsidiaries to fund their holidays overseas (pun intended).

Thus they cannot understand why the full force of Islamic law is applied on a fellow female Muslim who was unfortunately caught red-handed drinking in public.

The foreign press will have a field day saying that our country has gone 'Taliban' if and when the canning is imposed on the ex-model.

Our tourism industry will be affected as foreigners decide to go to countries where the law does not impede on people's personal freedom.

To be fair to the ex-model, other Malay Muslims drink at nightclubs, five-star hotels and other private functions. Teenagers can easily purchase beers at convenience stores in the city.

As long as Muslims do not adhered to the Islamic principles as their way of life, the problem with alcohol will prevail.

While we should educate these ignorant Muslims on the evils of drinking liquor and the social problems that comes with it, punishments on the guilty must serve as a deterrent to others.

Muslims in this country are facing a lot of social problems like drug addictions, rape and murder, incest, corruption and abuse of power because they do not adhere to their religious beliefs.

For pious Muslims who believe that life on earth is just a journey to the hereafter, and they will be accountable to their Makers for the sins that they do in the world, they tend to be a better citizens, just like people of other faiths as well who do not do indulge in vices which can corrupt their souls.

A clean heart and a cleaner soul will make for a better candidate for a place in heaven.