Fifty-eight individuals were charged in the Syariah High and Lower Courts in Kuala Lumpur yesterday in connection with the spreading of what is a known as the Millah Ibrahim @ Abraham teachings.
They comprised 12 women and 46 men, among whom were students, self-employed and unemployed.
In the Syariah High Court, three men - Farzlie Rahmat, 40, Hamatun Mezi Wahab, 49, and Sehadle Sa'aamah, 35, - were charged before judge Abdul Karim Wahab.
They were charged with explaining a religious doctrine or belief that contravenes the principles of Islamic law by mixing up the contents of the Quran with the Bible, which was found to be among the features in the teachings of Millah Ibrahim @ Abraham.
They were alleged to have committed the offence in Sakura Room, International Youth Centre at No 1, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, at 8.32pm on Monday.
The charge under Section 4 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Act (Federal Territories) 1997 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail term of up to 18 months or whipping not exceeding six strokes, or a combination of two penalties, upon conviction.
They were also charged with trying to teach Islam without credentials at the same time, date and place under Section 11 of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or 18 months' jail or both.
Nine others charged with abetment
Nine others were charged with abetment by jointly participating in the programme conducted by Farzlie, Hamatun Mezi and Sehadle to commit the same offence at the same place, time and date.
They are Zaitullailati Taslim, 31; Adly Azman, 24; Aszrul Nizam Zainal Badol Nizam, 22; Mohd Nazari Buang, 39; Mohd Saad Ghazali, 35; Muhamad Arif Afrison, 24; Muhammad Hasif Che Kemarudin, 27; Muhammad Razeeq Iskandar Ruslanno, 20, and Muhammad Shawaluddin Shafar, 27.
Meanwhile, 43 individuals were charged in the Syariah Lower Court with the same charge as the nine individuals.
All of the accused, aged between 19 and 59, were charged before judge Mohd Saifullah Hamzah.
However, the judge allowed three of the 43 people - Norhazlina Ahmad, 39, Rozita Omar, 44, and Norfadzilah Mohd Abdullah, 39, - bail of RM3,000 with four sureties consisting of Jusa B civil servants and permanent residents in Kuala Lumpur.
Three more accused, Nor Azri Baharudin, 48, Mohd Halim Mohd Nasir, 40, and Mohd Agus Abu Samah, 39, were charged with assisting in an event conducted by Farzlie, Hamatun Mezi and Sehadle to commit the same offence at the same place, time and date.
No pleas were recorded and the court set March 8 for mention.
The judge also allowed the prosecutor's application to transfer all the cases to the High Court.
Earlier, syarie prosecution officer Zainor Rashid asked the court not to grant all of them bail as other two groups, which were previously charged with the same charge, had failed to comply with the bail terms and disappeared after being released on bail.
"All of the accused who were arrested on Monday (Feb 1) are the third group after the two other groups charged before," Zainor Rashid said.
- Bernama
