PUTRAJAYA – Kelantan-born lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid said that her petition to challenge provisions contained in the state’s shariah enactment is not motivated by personal gain.
Instead, the 62-year-old Nik and her 26-year-old daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman, insisted that the petition regarding the state’s Shariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019 was filed to defend the sovereignty of the nation’s laws.
“As lawyers, we are officers of the court, and I believe it is indeed our duty as legal practitioners to uphold and defend the sovereignty of the law.
“I didn’t do this for myself, but I did it for everyone. Alhamdulillah, despite facing criticism, disdain, and curses, it was done for the betterment of Malaysia,” she told reporters after the court ruling today.
She also said that she does not intend to file a similar petition in other states.
“InsyaAllah, there won’t be any (other states), I think, after this. State legislatures will likely exercise greater caution in drafting laws,” she said.
Meanwhile, when asked about the reaction of the Kelantanese upon her return to her hometown, she said nothing unfavourable had occurred.
“I went back without facing any criticism, everyone supported me.
“If there were claims of condemnation, I believe it is a manipulation of facts because I did not face a problem,” she said.
Earlier, the Federal Court ruled that 16 out of 18 provisions under the Kelantan shariah criminal enactment were unconstitutional.
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the legislative powers of the federal and state governments have been determined by the federal constitution in the Federal List and State List. – February 9, 2024