The store manager of the Borders bookstore in the Mid-Valley mall has been charged with distributing Irshad Manji's book, ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’, which has been banned in Malaysia.
However, no plea was taken from Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz(left), following an application by Borders lawyer Rosli Dahlan at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court this morning.
KL syariah prosecution head Ibrahim Deris led a high-powered prosecution team.
However, no plea was taken from Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz(left), following an application by Borders lawyer Rosli Dahlan at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court this morning.KL syariah prosecution head Ibrahim Deris led a high-powered prosecution team.
Earlier, Rosli told the court that the prosecution had the option not to ask the charge be read out in court as it (the prosecution) has the powers to do so. However, Ibrahim said a decision can be made by the judge itself on the issue.
Rosli said Nik Raina does not own Borders but was merely a staff member working there.
Following this, the judge ordered that the charge be read out and no plea be taken. Sources indicated that Nik Raina’s name was pushed to be in the charge as the other key staff members were non-Muslims.
The Syariah Court has no jurisdiction over non-Muslims. However, two non-Muslim Borders staff members were present during the proceedings to lend support for Nik Raina and help post bail at RM500 imposed by the court.
It was learnt Borders had filed a judicial review over the manner their employee was brought to court.
Justice Abdul Walid Abu Hassan fixed Sept 19 for the case to be mentioned.
Nik Raina, 36 is charged with distributing the book at the bookstore between 8.41pm and 9.45pm on May 23, 2012. If convicted, she is liable to a maximum fine of RM3,000 or two years’ jail, or both.
The same day, the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) raided the bookstore and seized seven copies of the book, on the basis that the contents are contrary to Islamic teaching.
Rosli said Nik Raina does not own Borders but was merely a staff member working there.
Following this, the judge ordered that the charge be read out and no plea be taken. Sources indicated that Nik Raina’s name was pushed to be in the charge as the other key staff members were non-Muslims.
The Syariah Court has no jurisdiction over non-Muslims. However, two non-Muslim Borders staff members were present during the proceedings to lend support for Nik Raina and help post bail at RM500 imposed by the court. It was learnt Borders had filed a judicial review over the manner their employee was brought to court.
Justice Abdul Walid Abu Hassan fixed Sept 19 for the case to be mentioned.
Nik Raina, 36 is charged with distributing the book at the bookstore between 8.41pm and 9.45pm on May 23, 2012. If convicted, she is liable to a maximum fine of RM3,000 or two years’ jail, or both.
The same day, the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) raided the bookstore and seized seven copies of the book, on the basis that the contents are contrary to Islamic teaching.
The Home Ministry only announced the ban on May 24 andgazetted it on May 29.
Jawi investigated the matter under Section 13 of the Federal Territory Syariah Offences Act 1997, which relates to the sanctity of Islam and its institutions.
If the prosecution secures a conviction in such cases, the court could order the material to be seized and destroyed.
Manji's first book, ‘The Trouble with Islam Today’, was banned in Malaysia on July 30, 2009.
Human Rights Watch have called on the government to remove the book ban. The book publisher, ZI Publications Sdn Bhd, is said to be considering filing legal action against the authorities.
Jawi investigated the matter under Section 13 of the Federal Territory Syariah Offences Act 1997, which relates to the sanctity of Islam and its institutions.
If the prosecution secures a conviction in such cases, the court could order the material to be seized and destroyed.
Manji's first book, ‘The Trouble with Islam Today’, was banned in Malaysia on July 30, 2009.
Human Rights Watch have called on the government to remove the book ban. The book publisher, ZI Publications Sdn Bhd, is said to be considering filing legal action against the authorities.
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