The Indian Dilemma

(Free Malaysia Today) -  In a fiery speech, a MIC delegate from Kedah called on Indians to leave Malaysia and seek a better life elsewhere.
M Ramachandran, from the party's Kulim division, said the government was not offering enough
opportunities to the Indian community despite their sacrifices for the nation over the last 150 years.

“We are citizens of this nation and they (the ruling party) come to us for votes. But what do we get in return? We are only looked at when it's election time but after that we are forgotten.

“We are labelled with all sorts of names, so why stay here? We need to migrate to another country which offers equal opportunity to all,” he told the MIC annual general assembly here.

Meanwhile, Sri Serdang MIC division delegate K Subramaniam took a swipe at Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

He asked how can the concept be achieved when racial segregation still exists in the country.

“The PM is going around with the 1Malaysia slogan but we are still being differentiated using the bumiputera and non-bumiputera status. How can you achieve 1Malaysia with this?” he added.

Subramaniam was also cynical about Najib's promise that students who excelled in their SPM examinations would be entitled for Public Service Department grants to further their studies.

“My question now is will they allow Indian students to get more than 9A's after this. I doubt it very much,”  he said.
=================================================== 

The Indians have always been sidelined. You know it, I know it.  The Chinese have been treated decently. And here we are fighting for equality and justice and in the same line, condemning the Indians. 

Yes, as long as the Indians follow and worship MIC and its dogs, they will remain as they are....a minority group that does not pose any threat of any kind and will be treated like 'kelings' by both the Malays and the Chinese.

Hundreds of thousands have already migrated...Indians or Chinese?  And what the heck is wrong if Indians find a better place somewhere else? The Chinese have already found a 'better' place and the people have their mouths zipped. 

But when Indians wish to find a 'better' place...look at the outburst. They are labeled as traitors by so-called freedom-fighters who will turn this country around and are so certain that all races will be equal.

It will take 50....perhaps 100 years before we could possibly see any semblance of freedom, equality and justice for all....by which time, the Chinese population will equal that of the Indians....then we might just see some kind of freedom and justice for all. 

Sometimes when I read some comments I have a good laugh at those morons who say things like....'bring them on' and whatnot. 

Those who wish to to continue the struggle for freedom must do just that....fight for freedom and not pass any unwarranted remarks. What is the point of fighting for freedom and justice for all and in the process pass racist remarks....is not that called an irony? Perhaps paradox is a better word. 

Malaysia-Today will become a laughing stock if these knuckleheads keep posting their birdbrained comments in it. 

I do hope the Admin puts an end to juvenile posts and comments....yes, freedom of speech and all but sometimes you need to stop these naive comments to save your blog and maintain it as an intellectual platform - free of kids talking cock for recreation. 

MT should remain as a place for serious debates, posts and comments. Everything has its limits...even freedom of speech.

....anon

What can you do with RM750?

Since 1999, the opposition has been urging the government to increase the minimum wage to at least RM1,800 or RM2,000 per month. That was in 1999. Today it should be maybe RM2,500 per month. RM750 is just ridiculous. At a minimum wage of RM750 it is better to live in the UK. - RPK 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
written by anon, April 14, 2010 00:56:46

Dear Pete,

I know a settler cannot do much with RM750 a month. This is in a kampong. Uniforms, shoes, inner clothing, clothing for everyday use, provisions, small repairs for the house(including pipes, roof leaks etc), doctor's bills, electric bill, petrol for the motorbike (to take kids to school and back and to go to work in the plantation) - let me stop here.

All these for a family of four....excluding the parents(heck, parents too have to be dressed and have to eat). Now how much do you think it will come up to? 

My friend in the kampong who cannot afford to go to the doctor when his child is unwell and resorts to 'traditional' medicine and prayers. Kampong folks too succumb to toothaches and being children, often fall and hurt themselves.

No proper school teachers so no proper education - unable to afford to send kids for tuition classes.

Then there is the occasional marriage ceremony - this family is realistic, nothing elaborate and spend what they can afford and even that is insufficient. No buffaloes, no fancy cakes.  

But, there is an avenue to have a decent 'kenduri' - pawn gold and borrow money - to feed 50-100 people....similar to poor Indians.

There came a time when this family did not have money to buy essential items.

Then comes Hari Raya....money is needed for a small-scale celebration. Where do they find it? Birthdays are just singing a song for the person and simple food is served....it is a family affair.  

But there is hope yet again - pawn more jewelery  and borrow more money while paying off the first loan.


Now let us take the scenario in a city. Or do I have to even mention it? I believe Pete has that all covered.

If a kampong family cannot cope with RM750 a month, what do you expect a family in the city to do?

My friend Zahib, I will keep helping you if I can. Suhana, I will send you some money if I can.

Suhana is my former maid who looked after my late mother....not an easy task. Her neighbours give her rice and when I had the means I was sending her money which kept her and her family going - I am not in a position to help her now but I hope and pray that I will soon be able to continue helping her and her family.

So those who waste food and blow your money on what you do not need, think of these hungry people who are not very far from you.

Members of UMNO, MCA and MIC these are your people - ethnically Malays, Chinese and Indians. It is a damn disgrace that some still live below the poverty level and are ignored while you frolic and bask in glory and deceive the people that you are helping them. 

Money allocated goes into pockets of local ketua kampongs who have learnt how to slip money into their pockets - heck if his big boss can do it, so what is wrong with that? After all, he too wants to be behind the wheels of a fancy car.

These corrupt officials have learnt fast from the experts who walk through the Corridors of Power.

Yes there are poor Chinese and Indians too in these kampongs.

But these people are now aware of the present pretentious politicians and will never vote for you. They are aware now.

Soon, they will be on their way to Putra Jaya....demanding an explanation. 

They do not like broken pipes and broken promises.
 

RPK says: I’m part Orang Asli and proud of it

written by anon, April 12, 2010 13:26:41

written by PeacefulMalaysia

Tomorrow the Africans also will become BUMIPUTRA´s when they married the Malay girls.
----------------------------------------------------

Dear PeacefulMalaysia,

What you wrote is indeed true. That is exactly what is happening now. What you forgot to include is the Banglas and the Pakis who are the heartthrobs of the local Malay girls. Let us not even tread into Indon territory.

The local Malay girls seem to have a strange attraction for these blokes. Well, I admit these guys are good looking gardeners and manual workers but they seem to have captured the hearts of the Malay girls.

The guy who comes to my place to cut the grass has a Malay girls' Fan Club and tells me that it is so easy to get hitched to any one of them and these are good looking educated Malays girls - only thing with this guy is that he is honest and tells me he is married with kids in Pakistan.

He is just one honest man but I can't speak for the rest. I know of Banglas who are having a great time with the local Malay girls....fun and adventure.

We do seem to have more and more Africans here and like you said, all they need to do is to marry any one of these Malay girls and they are set to go - they may not be Bumis but heck, their children will be and enjoy the privileges of a Bumi!

Ironic isn't it? The non-Malays have been here even before the Malays but are sidelined.

So, get rid of UMNO, MIC, MCA, and we might just see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I shall go a step further and say, get rid of all race.religious-based parties....be it Hindraf, PR, DAP, PAS, PKR ....every damn party that 'champions' the cause for a Malaysian Malaysia but has a hidden agenda.

Will, for instance, any of these party have a non-Malay for a Prime Minister if they come to power????

And don't give me the crap about this being a Malay majority nation, we should have a Malay as a PM!!!!

So what makes any party different from BN?

To BN: Get rid of MIC and MCA and all component parties and take on all opposition.

 =================================

P.S   Verbosity - big talk about a change but let me tell you this....there will never be a party ( a party....not a person ) that will genuinely represent ALL races and be fair to all Malaysians. Why? 

Answer: Greed.

Sometimes I tend to think that all you people are just full of hot air, gloating how you can make this country united....but there is always a catch.

RPK condemns Hindraf. Well, I will also condemn them if they are race based. I will also condemn ALL other parties - including DAP and PR that are similar and just speak of a Malaysian Malaysia. 

I will also condemn RPK if I feel that he is just dabbling in rambunctious racial reprove and making a fool of any Malaysian and laughing all the way to a pub.

Tell the people openly before you win the election, there will be a non-Malay as the PM of the new Malaysia. A meritorious Indian/Chinese PM. Like the past presidents of Singapore.

I have my reservations about Anuar playing hopscotch....from Socialist to ABIM to UMNO to  keADILan to PR.

To me, he wants his 'justice' - as simple as that. Become the PM then get the bastards who tarnished his name. Rahim Noor watch out - hide as far away from Mahathir as possible. That is what I feel Anuar is seeking - not an office but revenge.

I had enough of all this big talk. All talk but no action from any opposition except when it comes to defending their own kind.

Heck I might feel differently later. If politicians have the right to change their minds as and when they feel like it, why can't I? 

Right now I feel that ALL opposition is full of garbage - and they seem to have a rather large herd. 

These are all CEOs. And most CEOs are full of crap. They are crafty actors. Do you notice that they ALWAYS have a smile on? Behind that seemingly innocuous smile is a breeding ground for bloodthirsty killing machines - they smile but they make mental notes then plan....how to blow you off. 

If you can see beyond that smile, you will face a bloody venomous fang waiting to strike - stay away from such menacing maulers.  

When was the last time you came across a HUMBLE wealthy bloke? They hire and fire....without giving a second thought to the repercussions - of the innocent victim struggling to make ends meet. Heck, we are still living in the Colonial era... ACTUALLY, when the Brits were ruling this country, we were living more in harmony than at present. We were happy and mingled freely. We did not give a thought about race and religion when we were together. 

....later.... 

 

I’m part Orang Asli and proud of it

Hindraf has to wake up. If they do not wish to work with Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat then they will have to go solo. And going solo means it is a dead end road. So Hindraf has to choose its ally. It can’t go to war with the entire world. It has to seek a friend somewhere and get this friend to support its cause - RPK

Anyway, the point to all this is that if there is one person who should be proud of his bangsa (race) then it should be me. Who can claim to be more Bumiputera than me, a person with Orang Asli blood? But I am prepared to put aside the pride of my bangsa and instead accept that I am Malaysian first and all others second. It appears, however, that many Malaysians would rather fight for their bangsa than for all Malaysians.
-------------------------------------------------------

written by anon, April 11, 2010 23:45:07

Pete,
If indeed Hindraf is fighting for an Indian cause then I agree with you. We have to eradicate this Indian, Malay, Chinese stigma (including Iban, Kadazan, Bugis, Asli, Baba-Nyonya etc). Your message is loud and clear and I totally agree with you.

That is why we have to first get rid of UMNO, MCA and MIC. These are racist parties acting under the guise of BN's component parties.

Let us stand as Malaysians and cast aside our ethnicity. When we come together as Malaysians, we then go on to throw out all ethnic groups who fight for their race. It has been too long that the people of this country have been placing their race first. Shed that and embrace the fact that we are Malaysians - as I said before - we eat, play and sleep as one - Malaysians.

The PM has blundered saying he is Malay first then Malaysian....then boasts about his warped sense of ....1Malaysia.

His 1Malaysia is Malay first, then Malaysian as he proudly proclaimed. That is the worst contradiction I have ever heard. If anyone dares come up with a slogan such as ....1Malaysia, he should mean we are all Malaysians first or shut his mouth.

I waited for a reply from him when I asked what he means by boasting of his new and dubious 1Malaysia. When he finally told us all that he is a Malay first then a Malaysian - I was not surprised knowing that politicians are what they are ....politicians.

Hindraf, Makkal Sakthi, Pakatan, PKR, DAP, PAS, UMNO, MCA, MIC and any other racist-based group or party who claim to represent their 'race' - then I say, to hell with these racists bigots.

What we need is a party who represents ALL Malaysians - no one supreme race or religion.

This may surface in probably 50 years....but it will be worth the wait for our children and their children.

....and in 50 years, this country will be free of corrupt officials, arrogant wealthy condescending bastards and we will see a colour blind party representing Malaysians.

Fight Racism

Yang Mulia, Raja Petra Kamarudin - a member of the Royal Family of Malaysia who sacrificed his life of luxury to fight for Freedom and Liberty for the People of  his country.


Change can’t happen by itself. We need to make that change. Racism is Umno’s 'secret weapon' and the only way to beat Umno at this race game is to register as a voter and vote racism out of office. So register as a voter, now, and make that change. Only YOU can end racism. Umno understands only ONE language, the power of your one vote. Umno does not fear God. Umno fears losing power – RPK

RPK's thoughts are shared by ALL right-thinking, peaceful Malaysians...Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans ...ALL Malaysians.

...I have promises to keep...and miles to go before I sleep...


Universal Declaration of Human Rights
G.A. res. 217A (III), U.N. Doc A/810 at 71 (1948).

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore, The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article I
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11
• Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
• No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13
• Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
• Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14
• Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
• This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15
• Everyone has the right to a nationality.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16
• Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
• Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
• The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17
• Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20
• Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21
• Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
• Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
• The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23
• Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
• Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
• Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
• Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25
• Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
• Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26
• Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
• Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27
• Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
• Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29
• Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
• In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
• These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

                        ****************************************************            

This country certainly needs a change. The people of this country need this change...for a peaceful Malaysia.

We may not see this change in our lifetime but let us think of our children and their children. Please inculcate Article 1 into them.

Allow them grow up as one big happy family, mixing and playing together as one without thinking of the colour of their skin.

Allow them to grow into liberal thinking adults knowing and accepting that they are ALL Malaysians.

Let there be mutual respect among them. Let them know that ALL religions preach good things and let them not deviate from the teachings of their religion.

Let there be a group of Malaysians – Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans sitting at one table, laughing and enjoying a free and healthy conversation.

Impose the moral values that no one is mightier than the other, and that we are all one – Malaysians.

Let racism, NEP, quota system, ‘bumiputra’ and ‘ketuanan’ be a thing of the past. Let them all come together as one.

These are some of the things we can do during our lifetime.

...Let us not be judged by the colour of our skin but by the content of our character... Martin Luther King

A sudden emergence of brilliance

A’s galore – Is this for real? 

(Aliran) So many students these days obtain a string of A's in public examinations. And yet, most people who were in school, say 50 years ago, can recall how difficult it was in those days to obtain an ‘A’ for any subject in the study syllabus, observes Inhindsight.


============================ 

written by anon, April 03, 2010 11:51:05

Why is everyone so shocked that students are getting straight As? This is 2010 not the 1950s, 60s or even 70s. In the 50s and 60s there were exams in Standard 6 and if you fail you're out - which has its disadvantages too, then LCE and MCE (before this SC). Finally, HSC - to toughest exam before you get into (if you do) a University.

Remember our names appeared in the newspaper for all to see?

Degrees were world recognized. Then came the 80s and 90s. By this time of course degrees were not recognized outside this country except for perhaps some Univs where millions were 'donated' ( I was told) to hand the degree on a silver platter. Ohio State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indon Univs, some Russian ones, Ukraine for example.  

Veteran Malays who had post-Form Five (TTC?) qualification were sent to Leeds and York to do their Masters programme! From Form 5 - to Masters! They lived in their own little 'kampong' in Leeds and York (as related to me by them) and returned as Lecturers in Universities! They come back and spoke like they never stepped outside their local kampongs. And that is the language they teach - and it's not B. Melayu of course. I mean, why go all the way to England to study BM? The Brits speak English.

These kampong Malays kept to themselves - they never wanted to mix with the locals (the Brits)...you know, come Hari Raya, it's 'All in the Family' - ketupat and rendang, syrup and karaoke. 


The wiser Malays mingled with the locals and these Malays came back, served their 7 year mandatory stint (some paid it off) then migrated ...to England and the U.S. 

People like me on the other hand had to struggle to get good results in the HSC exam then obtain a degree, followed by a Diploma in Education and only then go on to do Masters.

In other words, my good Bumi friends, skipped all and did their Masters Programme (which by the way was a 9 month programme) - skipping 'A' levels or HSC AND a basic degree - conveniently get their Masters degree. 

These 'Masters' churn-outs did not learn much as their knowledge of the language was about the same prior to leaving for England.

So what is their Masters degree equivalent to?

My point now is simply this: Why is everyone shocked at students getting 10As or 15As?

This is the 21st century and it is also 1Malaysia - where everything is possible

CHERATING RESORTing to beer

 Malaysian model who drank beer escapes caning sentence  

 A Muslim woman sentenced to be caned for drinking beer has had her punishment commuted, in a surprising turnaround for a high-profile case that raised questions about Malaysia's Islamic laws.                  

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, a 33-year-old mother of two, received a letter yesterday from the Pahang state Islamic department informing her that the state's sultan has decided to spare her the caning.

The order is likely to cool down a fiery debate over whether Islamic laws should intrude into people's private lives in this Muslim-majority country. Many people had condemned the punishment, saying it shows conservative Islamists are gaining influence over the justice system.

Her lawyer, Adham Jamalullail, said: “As a substitution for the caning, the sultan has ordered Kartika to perform community service for three weeks”. 

Sultan Ahmad Shah is the guardian of Islam in the state, and its titular head. Most of Malaysia's 13 states are ruled by sultans who usually play a ceremonial role in governance but have the power to rule in Islamic matters.

Ms Kartika, a part-time model and nurse who was caught drinking in a hotel bar, said she has been ordered to present herself at the office of the religious authorities in Pahang, which is in the middle of the country, tomorrow.

"Right now I do not know what sort of punishment it will be," she told AFP. "I am waiting for clarifications from the religious authorities."

Ms Kartika was sentenced in July last year to six strokes of the cane and a fine of 5,000 ringgit (£860) for drinking beer in December 2007 at a beach resort in violation of Islamic laws. Islam prohibits Muslims from drinking alcohol.

Officials had said the caning would be very different to the corporal punishment administered on male criminals under secular civil laws. Drug offenders, kidnappers and others are caned with a thick rattan stick on bare buttocks that break the skin and leave lifelong scars.

Ms Kartika's punishment under Islamic laws would have been delivered with a thin cane on the back with her clothes on.

Ms Kartika, whose case has fuelled a debate over rising "Islamisation" of the multi-ethnic country, could have been the first woman to be caned under Islamic law in Malaysia.

But in a surprise move, three other women were caned in February for having sex out of wedlock.

Alcohol is widely available in Malaysia but is forbidden for Muslim Malays, who make up 60 per cent of the population. They can be fined, caned, or jailed for up to three years, but prosecutions are extremely rare. 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/

.... this is the result of local and world pressure.... I personally believe that this whole issue was blown out of proportion by hypocrites who claim and proclaim abstinence.

 Kartika, you have shown the world what 1Malaysia is.