A few weeks ago I wrote some articles about the caning of one Kartika Dewi Sukarno. I assure readers I do not make light of the sentence. It commensurates with the level of understanding the learned shariah judge has. It takes into account also the cultural setting from which Kartika comes. She is a Malay Muslim and among Malays, the act of consuming alcohol is absolutely repulsive.
I have reservations though on the implementation aspects. I want the punishment to create a precedence so that, in future whosoever transgresses such wrong shall be so punished. If you are not willing the run the whole 9 yards, better to hold your piece. What if somebody prominent commits such wrong? Like a member of the royal family for instance, ministers perhaps, their sons or daughters?
Sure, you can always say, in accordance with the laws, you will carry out same punishment. I say, don't be hypocritical or munafik. I have seen and met kadhis who cower from airing the correct views according to Shariah laws.
You can picture the snowball effects. Those in the industry where alcoholic beverages are served, in industries where non halal food is served, will they also be punished in accordance to the laws? For example, Malay boys and girls who are practicing Muslims working in establishments where alcohol is served, in lounges and in bars, will they be asked to abandon their jobs? They don't drink, but by working there, they are indirectly promoting, aiding and abetting a culture that permits drinking and other religious censurable activities. Those working on MAS airplanes and Air Asia, will they be accordingly punished?
And now is the most visible case should you want to test the judgment. A son of former PM sits on the board of a brewing company in the Philippines. By acquiring shares in the company, isn't he aiding and abetting and furthering the prosperity of an establishment whose mission is to make people drink more?
We have our short term and immediate views on things like this- we want to punish these people as it reaffirms our religious convictions and faith. But out short term and immediate values must be subordinate to the longer term interests of not being hypocritical in the unfettered application of such laws and subordinate to the longer term interests of the importance of being consistent and thus credible.
That's the thing with these hypocrites in high places. It's anything goes when it comes to them but not when it involved ordinary people. And the biggest are those in the BN.
ReplyDeleteIf one were to take the argument further, Muslims can only work for another pious Muslim. Since working for non-pious people mean that they are directly contributing toward their bosses' so-called ungodly ways, right?
ReplyDeleteSo, I tell you what. Henceforth, lets all go back to tilling our little plot of land.
This is the kind of thinking that procrastinates changing UMNO in you . If you don't deny then find excuses to justify why there should not be punishment. You refrain from taking actions because the royalties, VIPs,politicians and their love ones also either drinks or are involvle in the trade/business.
ReplyDeleteWe are already late in implementing the syariah punishment but please it is better late than never !
Thanks for airing your views on this silly issue. Can always count on you for a bit of homegrown wisdom.
ReplyDeleteDear Datuk,
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that in these days and age we are more concerned with externalities rather than the internals. We are more concerned with the "religion" aspect of our faith rather than the spiritual aspect.
What s so special about the "religion" aspect? After all they are just routines which are done and repeated over and over again.
But deep inside, we are still the same.
Just look at the Malay girls nowadays. The al wear the tudung. Religiously that is. But what else? Skin tight jeans and slim fit tops. I am not saying that they shouldn't. But that is a sign of religiosity over spirituality.
Peace.
I hope they rotan Kartika and let her be a shinning example to the rest of the muslims that they must not drink beer in a beer producing country and also this gov't must not practice double standard when dealing with those who drnk beer and are caught.
ReplyDeleteAnd to let you all know that when the muslim students studying overseas they are the most faitfull patron of pubs and discos. Should we photograph them and rotan them when they come back!
The caning sentence is justified as being part of Sharia. The corruption that happens is when out of all the Sharia imposed laws they pick the one that in their estimation is the least politically damaging to them. It has sufficient clout to make them look all powerful. It has the necessary deterrent that people will feel cowed over and will also submit to without much ado.
ReplyDeleteFurther corruption and worse still is the cowardice shown when it was imposed on a woman who seemed seemingly docile and who according to script should do the next natural thing. Appeal. Everyone wants her to appeal. the Prime minister wants her to appeal. The Minister for Woman's affair wants her to appeal. All the Ulama and PAS leaders want her to appeal so that they will all not be caught with their pants down.
Yet she insists she wants to be caned. And what audacity. She wants to be caned in public as was originally intended when such provisions were made in the Quran and the Hadiths. so what's holding them back?
Now there is talk that the appeals board will consider the case. What? Hold on! Did she appeal? nNo I don't think so. If she did not appeal, how does that get these people considering the appeal? The light does not come on if you don't turn on the switch. But here, looks like the light is so eager to come on, its forgoing the laws of physics and electricity and jumping the switch to turn itself on.
Boy oh boy, has Kartika put all these guys into a spin!!
Kartika, I am a fan. To me you are like a modern day Joan of Arc!!
Yes, the authorities must mete the punishment. The Law is The Law..and NO one should be above the Law.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget to raid the posh hotels and bars or even homes where alcoholic drinks are served, esp the offenders in the so-called high society circles.
Way to go, AK47 !! Use a Bazooka if need be !!
There is a rule for those in high places and another one for ordinary people because Malay society is still based on feudalism.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to do away with this hypocrisy is to fully subscribe to the tenets of a full fledged democracy: liberty, equality and fratenity.
Whilst this would place UMNO elites and the aspiringly resurgent royal houses in awkward positions, it is a necessary part of growing up. Feudalism is not consistent with Islam or democracy.
Islam is consistent with democracy. It is ethno-religious extremism that is not.
Kublai Khan
Rotan the GLC and khazanah bosses as well for paying themselves more than wat they deserve>>surely thats worse then or at par with drinking..
ReplyDeleteI luv to get a 40% paycut if after the cut I still earn 5 million...
the law is only for everyday people like us...not for the 'umno puteras'.....they can fark, drink and do whatever they want cos they have 'our' money spilling out from their ears.....hypocrisy at its best......i have seen good muslims but 'umno muslims' are another class altogether.....ptuiii
ReplyDeleteI have an idea, why not use ekor lembu as the rotan...after that we can make sup ekor..for buka puasa..dont waste anything..this is ramadhan.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this. But sadly many nowadays are plain hypocrites. Religion is just not about ritual. It is more of spiritual and good values. Is this not what we call double standards?
ReplyDeleteTenku abdul Rahman the father of Merdeka used to enjoy his shot of whisky daily. Should he not be charged?
ReplyDeleteNajib's children have left many a trail in england indicating they not only drink alchohol but also cohabit with female in positions that spell nothing short of kaltwat. How come the religious authorities are so quiet?
Muslims have been know to be involved in RASUAH. How come no action has been taken? I think the religious authorities need to be rotan for not doing their jobs