Syariah Court sentences Maria Chin to seven days’ jail

KUALA LUMPUR: The Syariah Court has sentenced Maria Chin Abdullah to seven days’ jail for contempt of court.

The Petaling Jaya MP had issued a statement on Sept 5, 2019, criticising the court’s decision over the jail sentence imposed on a businessman’s ex-wife.

In finding her guilty, Syarie Judge Mohamed Fouzi Mokhtar said the article published by Maria Chin as the respondent on Sept 5, 2019 relating to the case of businessman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin and his ex-wife Emilia Hanafi had belittled, demeaned and insulted the Syariah Court.

“The title used by the respondent in the article itself has insulted the court and given a wrong impression of the Syariah Court institution to the public. Her article also contained factual errors and irrelevant points.

“The court hereby rules that the respondent has committed contempt of court through her article. The court also rejects the show-cause notice submitted by Maria Chin. Therefore, the court sentences the respondent to seven days in jail beginning today,” he said in his judgement.

However, the court allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal to be filed at the Syariah Court of Appeal.