Siti Nuramira Abdullah, the comedian who caused controversy with her act at a comedy club last year, has been fined RM8,000 (US$1,800) by the Sessions Court.
Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini handed down the sentence after Siti Nuramira, aged 27, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of deliberately hurting the religious sentiments of others during her stand-up comedy performance.
The incident occurred on June 4, 2022, at the Crackhouse Comedy Crackhouse in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and was found to be in violation of Section 298 of the Penal Code. In addition to the fine, the court ordered that Siti Nuramira would be sentenced to four months’ imprisonment if she failed to pay the fine. However, the accused was able to pay it.
During the hearing, the defense was scheduled to cross-examine the prosecution’s first witness, Muhammad Asyraf Kamal Musthaffa. However, deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob informed the court that the prosecution had offered an alternative charge under Section 298 of the Penal Code to the accused.
“The prosecution is offering the alternative charge after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) received the accused’s representation on March 16,” Abdul Malik said, and urged that the sentence imposed on the accused should reflect the case’s seriousness, as her actions had gained public attention.
“Even though the sentence under Section 298 is lower, it does not mean the offence is not serious.
“Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country, and to protect its harmony, no one should deliberately hurt the feelings of followers of any religion. The accused can carry out a performance without referring to any religion because religion should not be used as material for jokes,” he said.
Siti Nuramira’s lawyer, R. Sivaraj, sought a lighter fine on the grounds that his client had no prior criminal record.
“The accused’s guilty plea today saves the court’s time and costs. After my client was charged in court, she never performed any comedy act or anything related to the offence, she does not have a social media account, has kept to herself and not courted other controversies.”
“This case has become a hot topic till it went viral last year. This has caused a drastic change in the accused’s lifestyle personally, mentally and socially. Her experiences in being arrested, remanded in lock up and jailed for around 10 days are more than enough as a lesson to her,” the lawyer said, adding that his client has repented and apologised for her actions.
Siti Nuramira had allegedly made controversial religious remarks during her comedy routine. She also took off her baju kurung she was wearing during the set.
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