Malaysia delays caning of woman who drank beer

Officials said the caning of a Muslim model who was apprehended for drinking beer has been postponed until after the Islamic fasting month.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno originally had been scheduled to enter a women’s prison Monday before being lashed six times with a rattan cane some time this week.

However, Mohamad Sahfri Abdul Aziz, a legislator in charge of religious affairs, said the caning will be carried out after the current Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Fasting began Saturday and will end in mid-September.

Sahfri Abdul Aziz said the decision was made at the last minute for compassionate reasons on the advice of the Attorney General’s office.