‘Siti Nuramira will not be prosecuted under Syariah law’

KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Nuramira Abdullah, who is embroiled in the comedy club controversy, will not be prosecuted under Syariah law, says the Syariah prosecution chief.

In a statement released here yesterday, the Federal Territories Syariah Prosecution Department (Japenswp) said that after some consideration, it would not go forward with the case against the 26-year-old.

It said the decision was based on the concept of protection (maslahah) under the administration of justice and also to avoid Siti Nuramira from being accused in two separate courts that have the same objective of punishment for the offence committed.

It stated that the criminal charge against Siti Nuramira under Section 298A of the Penal Code was initiated at the civil court on July 13 and this law provides a heavier punishment.

“This is in accordance 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 true Islamic practices,” it added.

On Tuesday, 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 detained by Jawi shortly after posting RM20,000 bail for the case at the Sessions Court. She was 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 in jail, or both, upon conviction.

On July 13, Siti Nuramira pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. She was charged with insulting Islam by admitting she is Muslim and memorising 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.