<p> Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was fined RM 5,000 ($1,468) and ordered to be given six strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to drinking beer at a hotel, has appointed several lawyers to preserve her privacy and that of her family.<br /><br />Kartika said she would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who disturbs her peace and that of her family.<br /><br />She is resigned to the sentence and wants it to be carried out quickly. <br /><br />Many individuals, politicians, government organisations and non-governmental organisations have met her and her family lately, she complained in a statement issued Wednesday by her lawyers.<br /><br />This, she said, had occasionally disturbed her and her family's life and she had been urged to do things she did not want to do.<br /><br />"As such, I give notice that I do not want to be disturbed by any individual, politician, government organisation and non-governmental organisation and any meeting that has, is and will be planned, and any communication with me and my family should be stopped immediately," said Kartika.<br /><br />The statement was issued through the legal firm of Adham and Associates here, New Straits Times newspaper said.<br /><br />In her statement, she said she very much regretted the offence and was remorseful. "I will not hold anyone responsible for carrying out the caning."<br /><br />Kartika, 33, was sentenced by the Pahang state's Kuantan Syariah High Court July 20 after pleading guilty. Drinking in public is forbidden for Muslims in Malaysia.<br />The incident occurred July 11 last year.<br /><br />Media reports say the waitress who served her has also been sentenced and given similar punishment. Her case is to come up for appeal.<br /><br />On Aug 24, the caning was postponed by Pahang Syariah High Court judge Abdul Rahman Yunus out of respect for the month of Ramzan, Bernama, the official news agency said.</p>
<p> Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was fined RM 5,000 ($1,468) and ordered to be given six strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to drinking beer at a hotel, has appointed several lawyers to preserve her privacy and that of her family.<br /><br />Kartika said she would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who disturbs her peace and that of her family.<br /><br />She is resigned to the sentence and wants it to be carried out quickly. <br /><br />Many individuals, politicians, government organisations and non-governmental organisations have met her and her family lately, she complained in a statement issued Wednesday by her lawyers.<br /><br />This, she said, had occasionally disturbed her and her family's life and she had been urged to do things she did not want to do.<br /><br />"As such, I give notice that I do not want to be disturbed by any individual, politician, government organisation and non-governmental organisation and any meeting that has, is and will be planned, and any communication with me and my family should be stopped immediately," said Kartika.<br /><br />The statement was issued through the legal firm of Adham and Associates here, New Straits Times newspaper said.<br /><br />In her statement, she said she very much regretted the offence and was remorseful. "I will not hold anyone responsible for carrying out the caning."<br /><br />Kartika, 33, was sentenced by the Pahang state's Kuantan Syariah High Court July 20 after pleading guilty. Drinking in public is forbidden for Muslims in Malaysia.<br />The incident occurred July 11 last year.<br /><br />Media reports say the waitress who served her has also been sentenced and given similar punishment. Her case is to come up for appeal.<br /><br />On Aug 24, the caning was postponed by Pahang Syariah High Court judge Abdul Rahman Yunus out of respect for the month of Ramzan, Bernama, the official news agency said.</p>