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WAO rubbishes 'sedition' complaints
Malaysiakini, 7 Oct 2009

by Rahmah Ghazali

14 October 2009

Comments against the Kuantan Syariah Court's whipping sentence on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno cannot be regarded as seditious, said the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO).

It was defending the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) - of which it is a member - following police reports lodged by Muslim NGOs, including the Penang Muslim Coordinating Forum.

WAO president Meera Samanther said JAG's comments are valid “as they question the direction in which the sentence has been met, as it sets a dangerous precedent for all women”.

“There is nothing seditious in questioning the law and the court's decision. It is often done by lawyers in every court hearing. Our judicial system will break down if we have to unquestioningly accept a court's decision,” she told Malaysiakini.

Judges themselves have, on occasion, urged litigants to appeal to Parliament to amend or review any piece of legislation, she said.

“This question is important in our legal system and it strengthens the system. So JAG is (merely) using the judicial and legislative (process) for legitimisation, that is provided for in democracy,” she noted.

One police report was made after JAG described the whipping sentence on Kartika, a part-time model, as unacceptable and too severe.

Two other reports called on police to investigate the group under the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting Islam.

'We are not afraid'

Meera further said JAG is not afraid because such police reports have “no substance and no basis”.

“Anyone can lodge a police report now (even if it is baseless). But of course it is still up to the police (to decide if) they want to investigate it,” she said.

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“There are a lot more important issues they can investigate. There are a lot of domestic violence and rape cases (that have not been investigated).

“I am not saying the police are not doing their job. But their priority should be on (those other matters) instead. Let's not waste our time on a baseless report.”

JAG comprises Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor, WAO, Sisters in Islam,, All Women Action Society and Women's Centre for Change Penang.

Kartika, a mother of two and a part-time model, was found guilty of drinking beer in public. Her sentence includes a RM5,000 fine, which she has paid, as well as six strokes of the rotan.

She has adamantly refused to appeal the caning sentence and has further instructed her lawyers to inform all parties no to intervene in her case.