Dr Asri pleads not guilty

2009/11/18

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin pleaded not guilty in the Gombak Timur Syariah Court today to a charge of conducting religious lecture without a certification of authority. Mohd Asri, 38, is charged with committing the offence at a house at No 2 Lorong 2 C, Taman Sri Ukay, Ampang, between 8.10pm and 9.45pm on Nov 1.

The charge, under Section 119(1) of the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2003, carries a jail sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to RM3,000 or both upon conviction.

The prosecution is carried out by Selangor Syarie Chief Prosecutor Abdul Shukor Abdul Hamid who applied that the case be transferred to the Syariah High Court on grounds that the facts of the case necessitated a more accurate application and interpretation of the law apart from the wide media coverage it received and the fact that the accused was an influential person.

"We have filed an affidavit on Nov 12 to apply for the transfer of the case," he said.