<p>The Pahang state Shariah Court chief judge has ordered that the caning of part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno be deferred pending a review, as the sentence was deemed “too extreme”.<br /><br />Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the order to lash Kartika six times with a cane gave the Shariah Court a “cruel image”. Jalil said the overriding view was that the sentence was “too harsh and is not commensurate with the offence.”<br /><br />Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Kartika can still appeal the ruling. He said the model should not merely resign herself to the fact that such a sentence had been meted out to her. The premier said the authorities were always willing to consider such an appeal.</p>
<p>The Pahang state Shariah Court chief judge has ordered that the caning of part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno be deferred pending a review, as the sentence was deemed “too extreme”.<br /><br />Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the order to lash Kartika six times with a cane gave the Shariah Court a “cruel image”. Jalil said the overriding view was that the sentence was “too harsh and is not commensurate with the offence.”<br /><br />Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Kartika can still appeal the ruling. He said the model should not merely resign herself to the fact that such a sentence had been meted out to her. The premier said the authorities were always willing to consider such an appeal.</p>
