Part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was put on the van to be sent to the jail and to receive her punishment.

But the van turned back halfway, and Kartika was sent home.

It was said she would be spared from the rotan, but it was also said she would be caned only after the fasting month.

To cane or not to cane Kartika has become the focus of public attention, not only in Malaysia, but also in the international community.

If she were to serve her punishment, she would become the first woman in the country's history to be caned for drinking.

As if that is not enough, she might as well become the first Muslim woman to be caned in the region!

Kartika was caught drinking by the religious officials during her vacation in Cherating two years ago. She was subsequently brought to a syariah court.

She pleaded guilty to the charges against her, and was subsequently fined RM5,000 plus six strokes of rotan.

Similar cases did take place in the past, but the the defendants have sought to appeal. While some were later acquitted, others are still awaiting their hearings or have the charges against them dropped.

Unlike others, Kartika does not appeal against her charges. Instead she has requested that the caning be executed as soon as possible and, to the shock of the nation, in public!

No one actually understands what is in Kartika's mind. Those in favour of caning under Islamic laws, especially Islamic clerics, have commended Kartika for her "remorseful attitude" and willingness to accept her punishment.

Others who are against caning, especially for women, including Sisters-In-Islam, feel that drinkers should be served with kind advice instead of physical punishment.

Moreover, to cane or not to cane is an issue between the perpetrator and God.

These people have wanted to lend a vocal support to Kartika, but have been discouraged by her own attitude.

Whatever it is, to cane or not to cane has transcended the personal issue of Kartika.

Once the rotan is served, Malaysia will become a country that canes a woman.

And in the eyes of the world, it will also become a deeply entrenched Islamic state!

Even Amnesty International has urged the government not to cane Kartika, showing that the issue has indeed gained some international attention.

That said, if Kartika is spared from the rotan, the government may find it difficult to deal with the conservative Islamic society. Moreover, a verdict has already been passed by the syariah court while the defendant has not made any appeal but has instead requested that the punishment be executed as soon as possible.

Quoting William Shakespeare: "to be or not to be, that's the question."

I would like to rephrase it for our own context here: "to cane or not to cane, that's the question."

There is a technical issue under this dilemma. According to the laws, caning must be executed in a prison, and only a prisoner could be caned.

The syariah court's earlier verdict was to impose fines and caning, no imprisonment.

The question now is, how should Kartika's punishment be carried out?

This has put the enforcement authorities in a very difficult situation. However, there is something they can do to deliver themselves out of the embarrassment: to spare Kartika from the rotan.

The holy month of Ramadan is one of forbearance and endurance. So, let us seek a way out with a rational mind.

MY SINCHEW / ASIA NEWS NETWORK