SHAH ALAM, Nov 26 — A counsellor for the eHati family motivation programme was fined RM4,000 by the Syariah High Court today after pleading guilty to exposing parts of her body during a family motivation session last year, an act deemed to have brought Islam into disrepute.
Syariah Judge Zainal Abidin Kusmin meted out the fine, in default of one month's imprisonment, on Siti Zaama Rizal Boss, 49. The accused paid the fine.
She was charged with exposing body parts in a manner prohibited by Islamic law, causing Islam to be looked down upon, at a hall in a convention centre in Shah Alam between 8pm and 12am on September 29 last year.
The charge was framed under Section 10(a) of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both upon conviction.
Before handing down the sentence, Judge Zainal reminded Siti to refrain from actions that could tarnish the image of Islam.
“As a Muslim, you must uphold the religion and display good conduct as an example to non-Muslims. Islam is your ‘clothing’ and way of life, one that provides solutions to its followers.
"Even in times of personal hardship, the boundaries of halal and haram cannot be violated, for doing so only disgraces oneself,” he said.
Meanwhile, two other counsellors, Munirah Hishamshah, 37, and Bushra Mohd Zaki, 41, pleaded not guilty to the same charge for the same act committed at the same location between 2.30pm and 6.30pm, on September 30 last year.
The court allowed them bail of RM3,000 with one surety each and set March 5 next year for mention.
Syariah prosecutor Husaini Roslin appeared for the prosecution, while Syariah lawyers Mazli Abdul Muin and Yusfa Hanis Yusoff represented Munira and Bushra, respectively.
