KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Nuramira Abdullah, the woman whose stand-up comedy act has caused controversy, has been released by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) on Tuesday (July 19) night.
The expected prosecution against her at the Syariah High Court also did not materialise on Wednesday (July 20).
In a statement by paralegal Hannann Syoffeeya Zainal Syahrir, who is attached to the law firm representing Siti Nuramira, the 26-year-old was released by Jawi at 10pm without bail or bond.
Hannann said the prosecution by Jawi would take place when the religious body is prepared to do so.
She also said that Siti Nuramira's legal team was facing difficulties finding a Muslim bailer as they were preparing for the supposed proceedings on Wednesday morning.
The Kuala Lumpur Syariah court complex was swarmed with media personnel since early morning as they waited for Siti Nuramira who was expected to face a criminal charge under the Syariah law.
It was also learned that the Syariah prosecution did not proceed as it involved a similar offence already faced by Siti Nuramira at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on July 13 whereby the punishment at the Sessions Court is heavier than the Syariah High Court.
On Tuesday, Siti Nuramira was detained by Jawi officers at 10.30am shortly after she was released on a RM20,000 bail.
She was expected to face a charge under Section 7 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.
Section 7 refers to the offence of insulting, or bringing into contempt, the religion of Islam.
The charge carries a maximum RM3,000 fine or up to two years jail or both, upon conviction.
Her boyfriend V. Alexander Navin, 38, was also released from the Petaling Jaya Court Complex where he was charged after he posted bail on Tuesday.
On July 13, Siti Nuramira pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for insulting Islam.
According to the charge sheet, Siti Nuramira was accused of insulting Islam by admitting she is Muslim and memorised 15 juz of the Quran before discarding her tudung and baju kurung at the Crackhouse Comedy Club restaurant in Taman Tun Dr Ismail on June 4.
Siti Nuramira was charged under Section 298A of the Penal Code with causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.
She is facing a maximum five years imprisonment, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Alexander Navin pleaded not guilty to two counts under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misusing network facilities.
For the first charge, Alexander Navin was accused of sharing a post on his Instagram account on June 5 with the intention to insult other people.
For the second charge, he allegedly shared content via his YouTube account on June 16 with the intention of insulting others.
Prior to their arrests, a 54-second video circulated on social media showing a woman claiming to have memorised 15 juz of the Quran before discarding her tudung and baju kurung, leaving her in a low-cut top and short skirt.
