The deferment of whipping for model Kartika Seri Dewi Shukarno found guilty of drinking beer in public has earned the Attorney-General who intervened in the case the wrath of a group of Islamic non governmental organisations.

Their emotions have stirred by the belief that the Syariah law has been outraged by the decision.

Kartrika was caught by religious authorities consuming the beverage at a Cherating hotel lounge last year.

Pembela, a loose coalition comprising Islamic NGO's, also slammed the government for "overriding" Pahang Syariah High Court judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunus's ruling, describing it as "contempt of court".

"We are strongly against any form of intervention in the way Syariah Law is implemented and carried out. The laws are recognised under the federal constitution.

mohamad isa abdul ralip syarie lawyers association president pgsm "We want all executive powers to stop interfering in the judiciary be it Civil or Syariah matters. The government, especially Muslim women ministers, should not challenge, insult or question the Syariah Court's decision," said Syarie Lawyers Association president Mohamad Isa Ralip ( right ) representing Pembela at a press conference today.

When asked why sentence should not have been deferred because of the Ramadan month, he shot back, " Muslims went to war during Ramadan, why can't Kartika be whipped?"

Milking issue for political gain

He called on those unhappy with the case to follow the procedures as set by the law, adding that the decision should be the Court of Appeals', not the Attorney General's.

His vice-president Musa Awang echoed the sentiments, saying that leaders should not exploit the matter to gain political mileage.

"Why is it that everyone is picking on only the Syariah Court? We must do a study on that.

"This is not a new enactment. The law has been there since 1984 so why so much hue and cry?" he said.

musa awang syarie lawyers association pgsm "Whipping in this instant is to educate the offender and not to inflict pain. As such, it is very different from the whipping meted out under the Common Law or Civil Law," Musa ( left ) added.

He is also disappointed with the Home Ministry for saying that the country does not have the "expertise" to carry out such sentences.

‘Don't bow to demands'

"There are qualified people available who are ready to do it," he said.

Refuting claims made by Sisters-in-Islam that the Syariah law victimises women, the association's deputy president Muhamad Burok dismissed them as baseless and unfounded as Kartika herself agreed to be whipped.

Responding to the international outcry over the issue, Mohamad Isa hit out at Western countries for playing it up.

"Non-Muslims especially should not exert pressure and dictate how the Syariah Laws are carried out. We should not bow to their demands.

"The Bar Council should also not interfere in all matter regarding the Islamic religion but leave it to the relevant Islamic authorities," he said, adding that the Syariah Court decision should be respected by all.

Pembela congratulated Kartika for being brave and patient in the midst of this whole unfortunate affair and praised her for leaving her fate to the Pahang Islamic state authorities (JAIP).