In Malay-Muslim heartland, caning wins support

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno pauses during an interview at her father's house in Sungei Siput, about 300km (186 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia's state of Perak August 21, 2009.

KOTA BHARU, Malaysia (Reuters) - The end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this weekend could see Islamic authorities in Malaysia carry out the country's first caning sentence on a woman, a punishment that is fast gaining support.

Although the penalty has been condemned by rights groups and is being reviewed by an Islamic appeal court, it is endorsed by conservative Muslims whose influence is on the rise in this multi-racial, Southeast Asian country of 27 million people.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, was caught drinking beer in a hotel and faces six strokes of the cane.

There are concerns the caning could damage Malaysia's image at a time when it is liberalizing its economy to attract more foreign investment. But for many people in Kelantan, a poor rural state, it is more important to see justice done.

"Her punishment is not severe, it will educate people. It will be a good lesson especially after Ramadan," said Runaidah Abdul Hamid, a housewife, as she bought vegetables to prepare for the breaking of the fast during Ramadan.

"Kartika will become more Muslim," said Rahayu Nizam Nawi, a vegetable seller in northern Kelantan's capital, Khota Bharu.

Kartika said she accepts the six strokes of the cane and has called for the sentence despite moves by the government, including Prime Minister Najib Razak, to review the punishment.

Malaysia practices a dual-track legal system, with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable only to Muslims, running alongside civil laws. If Kartika is caned, she will be fully clothed.

"CITY OF ISLAM"

Kelantan is ruled by the opposition Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and calls Kota Bharu "The City of Islam." The party has grown in influence since it joined an opposition grouping led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

In 2008 the three-party opposition Peoples Alliance inflicted the biggest ever electoral losses on the National Front government that has ruled Malaysia for 52 years, prompting the Front to replace its prime minister.

A party that advocates Islamic punishments now stands a chance of becoming part of any new government. Elections must be held by 2013 at the latest.

Since Malaysia's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities deserted the governing National Front coalition, its ability to stay in power is being increasingly shaped by a battle to win the support of Malay Muslims, around 55 percent of the population.

That means the main government party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), cannot afford to offend conservative voters. In recent by-elections UMNO and PAS were seen arguing over which party was more true to Islam.

"Although Islam is adaptable to modernity, it will not be good when political parties are trying to outdo each other," said political analyst Khoo Kay Peng.

PAS in August demanded a full implementation of a rarely enforced alcohol ban for Muslims in the most developed Malaysian state of Selangor that it also helps to govern.

It also called for Danish pop group "Michael Learns to Rock" to be banned and Muslims were initially forbidden from attending a concert by U.S. hip hop group "The Black Eyed Peas" organized by brewer Guinness, which is owned by the world's biggest spirits group Diageo.

The flow of news headlines and blog comments has bruised Malaysia's image as a moderate Muslim state with some commentators highlighting what they see as undesirable Islamic influences in their own countries.

However, this foreign criticism cuts little ice in Kelantan.

"It does not matter what the outside world thinks, what matters is that Malaysia is an Islamic country which must practice Islamic laws," said Nur Manisah Hassim, a snacks vendor at a bustling market in Kota Bharu.

(Editing by David Chance and Jonathon Burch)