An Islamic court in Malaysia put on hold indefinitely the caning of a woman found guilty of drinking beer because the sentence was too harsh, a Cabinet minister said on Tuesday.

The chief judge of Pahang state’s Sharia court decided on Monday to defer the caning of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno (32) pending a review, as it was deemed too extreme, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“I am impressed with, and commend, the chief judge’s wisdom for making the order of revision,” Shahrizat told reporters.

Malaysia’s Home Minister indicated the caning — which had been expected to be administered this week — was unlikely to be carried out, arguing the prisons department did not have staff with the expertise to administer the caning according to Sharia laws.

The developments will likely defuse growing consternation in Malaysia over the unusual sentencing, which if carried out would have made Kartika, a part-time model and mother of two, the first woman to be caned in the country.

Kartika was arrested by Islamic morality police for drinking beer at a beach resort in Pahang in 2007. Her plight has drawn international attention to the use of Islamic laws.

Prime Minister Najib Razak also urged Kartika to appeal the sentence, saying she had several avenues to escape punishment. Kartika, however, refused, saying she simply wants to get it over with.