Islamic officials release Muslim model held for caning

Karai: Islamic officials have freed a Muslim model scheduled to be caned this week for drinking liquor.

Officials had arrested Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno in northern Malaysia on Monday but returned her home 30 minutes later, her father said.

Kartini's father, Shukarno Abdul Muttalib, said the officials returned with Kartika and told him they had received "instructions from the higher powers" to release her.

Shukarno said the officials claimed that "for now, the sentence cannot be carried out."

It is not immediately clear whether Kartika will be taken back into custody later. Islamic officials declined to comment.