Muslim NGOs for punishing those questioning Malaysian model's caning

Kuantan (Malaysia), Oct.3 : Fourteen Muslim non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malaysia's Kuantan state have urged the authorities to act against people who are questioning the caning sentence of part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.

They have also lodged a police report against NGOs that have asked the government to intervene to rescind the sentence, including Sisters in Islam (SIS) and Joint Action Group Against Violence Against Women (JAG), reports the New Strait Times.

The group's spokesman, Amidi Abdul Manan, said SIS and JAG should retract their statements and tender open apologies to Muslims for insulting Islamic law and the syariah court.

The 14 Muslim NGOs include the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim), Jemaah Islah Malaysia Pahang, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia Pahang, Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association and the Islamic Welfare Organization.

Amidi said they would file an injunction to stop other parties from questioning the decision made by the Syariah High Court here.

"We will also hold a seminar on the matter and have a demonstration of how syariah caning is performed with the help of the relevant authorities," said Amidi, who is Abim deputy president.

The seminar, to be held at the state Islamic Religious Department here on October 25, will be open to the public, including NGOS and non-Muslims.