In December 2007, a 32-year old Muslim woman, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, was caught by Islamic morality police for drinking beer at a beach resort, following which she was sentenced by a Shariah court to six lashes of a rattan cane. The sentence, which was supposed to be executed this week in a prison, was delayed on Monday until after the holy fasting of Ramadan, which ends in mid-September.

But now, Kartika is being urged by Malaysia's Prime Minister to appeal the sentence, as she might get a sympathetic hearing from Islamic authorities for her plea. Prime Minister Najib Razak specified Tuesday that authorities would be willing to consider Kartika's appeal and that she should not resign herself to the punishment.
However, Kartika expressed no desire of appealing as she wants to get over with it as soon as possible. 

It should be noted that Malaysia's Muslims, who make up 60 percent of the country's 27 million people are forbidden from drinking alcohol under the Shariah laws they are subject to. Any Muslim, who is caught drinking, can get a punishment of three years in prison and caning. However, many offenders in past has escaped the adverse punishment by paying fine.

The case of Kartika has attracted international attention to the use of Islamic laws, and raised questions whether a radical brand of Islam is taking root in this traditionally moderate Muslim-majority country.

If in case the caning is carried out, then Kartika would be the first woman to be caned in Malaysia.