Ordered to be whipped six times by the Kuantan Syariah Court, after she had pleaded guilty to consuming beer in public in Cherating, Pahang on July 11, 2007, Bernama reported that Kartika just wanted the ordeal to be over.

"I will accept this punishment, let Allah decide my punishment in the hereafter," said Kartika, who has been residing in Singapore for the last 15 years.

Based on the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002, the whipping tool used must be a rotan or small branch that should be not more than 1.22 metres long and not more than 1.25cm thick.

The whipping has to be done using moderate force and the punisher should not raise the hands over the head to avoid injuring the skin. The appointed punisher must be a fair and mature person, During the punishment, the offender must be dressed according to Syariah law.

Male offenders will be whipped while standing whereas female offenders will be in a sitting position when whipping commences.

Whipping would not be done on pregnant offenders and would only be done two months after delivery. It must not hit the face, head, stomach, breast or private parts - only the buttocks.

The offender's health should be checked by government health officers who should also be present during whipping.

The whipping must be done at locations determined by the court or the State government. The whipping punishment is more commonly conducted at the Penor jail in Kuantan, Pahang as the officers there are trained to conduct them.

Earlier, women leaders such as Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Dr Lo'Lo Datuk Mohd Ghazali had expressed concern over the harsh punishment in relation to the offence.

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