The decision by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang to commute Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor's (below ) caning sentence to community service was the prerogative of the ruler, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.

 

NONE "The sultan is the highest authority in the administration of Islamic matters (in Pahang). He has the discretionary powers to mete out sentence based on public interests. He has acted within his power," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.

 

He said this when asked to comment on the action by the Syarie Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) in questioning the decision to commute the caning sentence on Kartika Sari Dewi, for drinking beer, to community service.

Kartika Sari Dewi, 33, was ordered by the sultan to do three weeks of community service at the Tengku Ampuan Fatimah Children's Home.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, when commenting on the matter, said the ministry only had power to enforce the decision.

– Bernama