KUALA LUMPUR: The Syariah prosecution chief has confirmed that Siti Nuramira Abdullah, who is embroiled in the comedy club controversy, would not be prosecuted under the Syariah law.
In a statement issued by the Federal Territories Syariah Prosecution Department, it said that the Syariah prosecution chief has made its considerations and decided not to proceed with the prosecution against the 26-year-old.
This was based on the concept of protection under the administration of justice and to avoid Siti Nuramira from being accused in two separate courts that had the same objective of punishment over the offence committed, it said.
It stated that the criminal charge against Siti Nuramira under Section 298A of the Penal Code had commenced at the civil court on July 13 and that provision provides a heavier punishment.
"This is in line with the Syariah objective (maqasid) that stresses the approach of discipline (ta'dib) in the administration of Syariah criminal law, which is hoped to bring the accused back to Islamic practice," it added.
On Tuesday (July 19), Siti Nuramira was released by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) at 10pm after she was arrested earlier in the day at 10.30am.
Siti Nuramira was taken away shortly after posting a RM20,000 bail for the case at the Sessions Court and expected to be charged 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.
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.
