Kuala Lumpur:
In a surprise turnaround, a 33-year-old Malaysian Muslim woman who was sentenced to be caned for drinking beer in public has had her sentence reduced to community service, her father said on Thursday.
Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno's caning sentence has been commuted, said Shukarnor Abdul Muttalib.
Her father said Kartika received a letter from the Pahang state Islamic and Malay Culture Council informing her of Sultan of Pahang's decision to spare her the caning.
Abdul Muttalib was quoted as saying by the Star online that the Sultan Ahmad Shah had agreed to commute the caning sentence and ordered Kartika to perform community service for three weeks.
She was caught drinking beer in public in Pahang state. Kartika, a former part-time model, was sentenced in July last year to six strokes of the cane and a fine of Rs 60,000 for drinking beer in December 2007 at a beach resort, in violation of Islamic laws.
She pleaded guilty and did not appeal her sentence, but the punishment was halted at the last minute following uproar in the media and among rights activists.
Though liquor is widely available in Malaysia, the Malay Muslims, who form 60 per cent of the population, are forbidden by their religion to drink.
Recently three women were caned for having sex out of wedlock.
Kartika had an audience with the Pahang royals in March to discuss her case.
The Sultan has the power to grant Kartika a pardon even though she did not ask for one.
When the case first came to light, Kartika had refused to appeal against her sentence, and had challenged the authorities to cane her.
Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno's caning sentence has been commuted, said Shukarnor Abdul Muttalib.
Her father said Kartika received a letter from the Pahang state Islamic and Malay Culture Council informing her of Sultan of Pahang's decision to spare her the caning.
Abdul Muttalib was quoted as saying by the Star online that the Sultan Ahmad Shah had agreed to commute the caning sentence and ordered Kartika to perform community service for three weeks.
She was caught drinking beer in public in Pahang state. Kartika, a former part-time model, was sentenced in July last year to six strokes of the cane and a fine of Rs 60,000 for drinking beer in December 2007 at a beach resort, in violation of Islamic laws.
She pleaded guilty and did not appeal her sentence, but the punishment was halted at the last minute following uproar in the media and among rights activists.
Though liquor is widely available in Malaysia, the Malay Muslims, who form 60 per cent of the population, are forbidden by their religion to drink.
Recently three women were caned for having sex out of wedlock.
Kartika had an audience with the Pahang royals in March to discuss her case.
The Sultan has the power to grant Kartika a pardon even though she did not ask for one.
When the case first came to light, Kartika had refused to appeal against her sentence, and had challenged the authorities to cane her.
