Maria Chin jailed 7 days over remarks on prison sentence for Naza boss’ ex-wife

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has been sentenced to seven days in jail for contempt of court over remarks made on the prison sentence handed down by the Shariah High Court to the former wife of Naza Group executive chairman SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin.

Judge Fouzi Mokhtar said Maria had been found guilty of contempt over her comments on Sept 5, 2019 concerning the court’s decision to jail Emilia Hanafi seven days for not complying with the visitation rights given to Faisal and rescheduling visits on her own.

“The title used by the respondent (Maria Chin) in the article itself has insulted the court and given a wrong impression of the Shariah Court institution to the public. Her article also contained factual errors and irrelevant points.

“The court hereby rules that the respondent has committed contempt of court through her article,” he said, adding that Maria’s show-cause notice was also rejected.

He was referring to a statement Maria had issued titled “Emilia Faisal Hanifi’s sentencing proves injustice against Muslim women still exists in the legal system”.

Maria was ordered to begin serving her jail term today but Fouzi allowed her a stay of execution pending the submission of her formal application to appeal at the Shariah Court of Appeal.