KUALA LUMPUR: A 27-year old stand up comedian who was charged with insulting Islam during her performance at a comedy club was fined RM8,000 in default four months jail for uttering words with deliberate intention to hurt the feelings of others.
Siti Nuramira Abdullah who appeared before Sessions judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini today changed her plea and pleaded guilty to the alternative charges.
She previously pleaded not guilty to insulting Islam under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.
She faced a maximum five years imprisonment for the offence.
However, lawyer Ramesh N. P. Chandran, today said his client decided to change her plea after the prosecution offered an alternative charge under Section 298 of the same Code for uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.
It carries a maximum one year imprisonment or fine or both upon conviction.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob told the court that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) had accepted Nuramira's representation letter sent on March 16.
Lawyer R. Sivaraj who appeared for the accused pleaded for a minimum sentence, stating that this was his client's first offence.
"She was married four months ago and wants a peaceful life.
"As a wife, she wants to devote herself to her marriage... she was very remorseful and apologised to all parties involved," he said.
However, Abdul Malik pressed for a deterrent sentence as the case involved public interest.
Siti Nuramira allegedly made degrading religious remarks and took off her baju kurung during her open mic routine on stage.
She was wearing a spaghetti-strap dress underneath her attire during the performance.