Kuala Lumpur, Sep 25 (Inditop.com) Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was sentenced to caning for drinking in public, has been approached by a filmmaker for a movie on her life, but says she will think about it only after her punishment is over.
“It is too far ahead. I can’t think of anything beyond my punishment at the moment,” said the mother of two, who worked in a hospital and did modelling on the side, after a filmmaker offered to make a movie on her ordeal.
The 32-year-old was fined RM 5,000 ($1,468) and ordered to be given six strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to drinking beer at a hotel. She wants to go through the punishment in public to atone for her crime.
Tired of the media glare and concerned groups who come inquiring, last week Kartika issued a “do not disturb” notice through her lawyers. She has appointed several lawyers to preserve her privacy and that of her family.
But during Hari Raya (Eid ul-Fitr) a relaxed looking Kartika received guests as well as international media persons at her father’s house at Kuala Kangsar in Perak state, just few days after the filmmaker called on her.
Her father said he had not invited the foreign press to his home but they were nevertheless welcomed. Kartika too greeted journos and even posed with them for the shutterbugs, The Star said Friday.
While talking to reporters, Kartika also clarified that she was not jobless at the time of her arrest, but was working as a hospital administrator in Singapore while modelling part-time. She added that she had aborted her plans to further her studies in hospital administration after the court matter came up.
Her husband, Muhammad Afandi Amir, 38, a software engineer with Reuters, stayed beside her throughout her interaction with the press.
“It has been a happy Raya despite the troubles. It has not affected our celebration one bit,” said Amir.
She is still awaiting news from the Pahang state’s Religious Department as to when she would face her punishment for drinking beer at a hotel last year.
Meanwhile NGO Sisters in Islam (SIS) has sought a stay on the caning of Kartika.
rounak