Muslim woman to be flogged over beer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Islamic court in Malaysia has sentenced a Muslim woman to be flogged with a rattan cane for having a beer in a nightclub, a court official said today.
It is rare for a woman in Malaysia to be sentenced to caning - a punishment usually reserved for men in various crimes ranging from rape to bribery.
It is generally done by specially trained officials at prisons.
Part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was sentenced on Monday to six lashes and a fine of 5,000 ringgit (£850) for consuming alcohol, said a Shariah High Court official.
Shukarno, 32, pleaded guilty in the court in eastern Pahang state to a charge of drinking beer when Islamic authorities raided a hotel nightclub in August 2008.
Consuming alcohol is a religious offence in Malaysia only for Muslims, who make up nearly two-thirds of the population.
Offenders are prosecuted in Shariah courts, which handle cases mainly related to family and moral issues for Muslims.
Shukarno plans to appeal the sentence, the New Straits Times reported.
The punishment "is aimed at making the accused repent and serves as a lesson to Muslims," the newspaper quoted Judge Abdul Rahman Yunus as saying.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments