ROMPIN: Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has denied interfering and delaying the carrying out of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno's punishment.

The part-time model was found guilty of drinking beer in July last year and was ordered to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court.

Gani said the implementation of the punishment was under the Syariah Court's jurisdiction.

"No such thing," he said. "Who am I to interfere and delay punishment?" he asked after opening a community service programme of the Syariah Section of the Attorney-General Chambers here yesterday.

Kartika, 32, was fined RM5,000 and ordered to be caned on July 20 after she pleaded guilty to committing the offence at a hotel in Cherating.

Gani said that, like other cases, the punishment should be carried out fast but only after a study to uphold justice.

"I believe there must be a reason for the delay. We must bear in mind that justice hurried is justice buried."

The A-G said all parties should respect the decision made by the courts - be it Syariah or civil.

Kartika's case attracted international media coverage and Sisters In Islam moved to stay the sentence by filing a review with the Kuantan Syariah High Court on Sept 19.

However, the decision to cane was upheld by the Kuantan Syariah High Court Appeals Panel following a review on Sept 28.

Kartika, who works as a hospital administrator in Singapore, had earlier stated that she was willing to undergo the punishment. - Bernama