A HOLIDAY in the Malaysian state of Pahang last August set off a chain of events that could see Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, being caned six times, as ordered by the religious court there.

The Malaysian Muslim was caught drinking alcohol with her Singaporean husband in a Kuantan hotel lounge by syariah officers. He was let off.

Her hearing and sentencing in the Syariah High Court will be on May 4.

A precedent for the caning of women was set on Monday, when the same court sentenced Noorazah Baharuddin, 22, to six strokes of the cane and a fine of RM5,000 (S$2,100) for drinking beer last July in the Kuantan pub where she worked.

The waitress is possibly the first woman ordered to be caned.

Kartika, a part-time model, said on Wednesday in a telephone interview from Johor Baru, where she is on a visit, that 'it was sheer bad luck' that syariah officers raided the lounge that evening.

She was among 20 Malaysian Muslims nabbed for consuming alcohol, which is forbidden in Islam.

Kartika, who has hired a Malaysian lawyer, declined to say more as the case has yet to be heard.

Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.