"Syukur alhamdulillah."
That was the reaction of Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz after the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) withdrew a charge against the Borders book store manager today on the sale of a controversial Irshad Manji book.
"This is a really big surprise for me. Having battling this case for three years, I didn't think that this matter could ever be resolved. I thought that the chief Shariah prosecutor would just ignore the orders of the High Court and the Court of Appeal which had directed Jawi to withdraw their actions against me.
"Even if my lawyers warned Jawi, it would have no effect as they (Jawi) just wanted to make me a scapegoat," she said in a statement.
Apart from thanking Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya, she expressed her gratitude to her employers for their support during this ordeal, particularly Berjaya Corporation founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Berjaya Corporation CEO and chairman Datuk Sri Robin Tan, and Borders COO Yau Su Peng.
"I will make a special prayer to close this chapter in my life," she said.
READ: 'I was victimised by authorities' - Borders manager
Meanwhile, The Malaysian Insider today reported that Nik Raina's lawyer, Rosli Dahlan, had confirmed receiving a letter from Jawi stating they were dropping the prosecution against the 39-year-old manager.
"The letter was received dated May 11 and signed by chief shariah prosecutor Mohammad Adib Husain," the portal quoted Rosli as saying.
Jawi's letter came just before the week-long deadline expired, following a notice sent by Nik Raina's lawyers to the religious authority, threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if they didn't drop the case.
READ: Uphold Islam in the right way, Nik Raina tells Jawi
Nik Raina was arrested on May 30, 2012 and charged under Section 13 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 as 'spread and distribute' method to sell the book "Allah, Liberty and Love", which is said to have been banned by authorities.
She was charged in the Syariah High Court on June 19, 2012, and on March 22, 2014, the High Court gave a retrial opportunity to Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Borders book store owner.
However, on Dec 30, 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled that Jawi had acted unfairly and in bad faith when it prosecuted Nik Raina.
But on March 12 thisyear, Jawi decided to send a notice of appeal against the decision of the Shariah Appeal Court.
READ: Court dismisses Jawi's appeal over book raid
Astro Awani
Wed May 13 2015
After battling the case for three long years, Nik Raina (pic) didn't think that the case would ever be resolved.
Jepun, Uzbekistan berentap final Piala Asia B-23
Pasukan yang kalah dalam penentuan tempat ketiga itu akan menentang Guinea yang berada pada kedudukan keempat.
Niaga AWANI: KWSP: Melestari kehidupan persaraan
Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) dikatakan bukan satu-satunya organisasi yang bertanggungjawab dari segi menambah baik kehidupan masyarakat. Namun KWSP telah memperkenalkan Akaun Fleksibel dan berkuat kuasa mulai 11 Mei 2024. Bagaimana pengurusan persaraan selepas ini dan apakah pendekatan terbaik bagi meningkatkan literasi kewangan dalam kalangan masyarakat?
CapCut juga mungkin akan diharamkan di Amerika Syarikat
Menurut laporan The Washington Post, Amerika Syarikat turut akan memerlukan CapCut dijual untuk terus beroperasi di negara mereka.
Niaga AWANI: WEF: Exploring multiple dimensions for energy transition
Current climate change has left a significant impact on the health of the planet. Therefore, global at this time gives special focus on energy transition efforts. Head of Centre for Energy and Materials; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Roberto Bocca shares on this at the World Economic Forum from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Niaga AWANI: WEF: Addressing the economic spillover of Middle East tensions
With the Middle East conflict escalating following Iran's attack on Israel early on Sunday, fears are mounting that another series of destructive shockwaves will reverberate through global markets. Head of Research, MIER, Dr Shankaran Nambiar, speaks further on this matter.
AWANI Pagi: Pendidikan kanak-kanak Malaysia ketinggalan?
Ikuti perkongsian pandangan Pensyarah Kanan Jabatan Asas Pendidikan, Fakulti Pendidikan UiTM, Dr Khadijah Said Hashim susulan laporan yang dikeluarkan Bank Dunia baru-baru ini.
AWANI Ringkas: 'Geng Bob' tumpas, lima ditahan disyaki edar dadah
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Kebakaran kilang cat: JAS tempatkan dua alat ukur kualiti udara
Pengukuran tahap kualiti udara masih diteruskan secara berkala sehingga keadaan kembali seperti biasa.
KPM giat laksana pelbagai inisiatif bagi reformasi pendidikan negara
Kelas prasekolah akan diperluas di seluruh institusi pendidikan bawah KPM bagi memastikan isu keciciran murid dapat ditangani daripada awal.
Anwar minta seluruh negara Arab tegas dalam isu Palestin
Katanya, semua pihak juga perlu menyuarakan bantahan terhadap pencerobohan dan pendudukan haram Israel di tanah Palestin.
Kes Nik Raina dan Jawi diteruskan ke Mahkamah Persekutuan
Pada Disember tahun lalu, Mahkamah Rayuan mendapati bahawa Jawi telah bertindak di luar bidang kuasanya apabila mendakwa Nik Raina.
Jawi, pergi buat kerja lain selain kacau Nik Raina - Syahredzan
Jawi diminta menumpukan kepada perkara lain selain meneruskan tindakan terhadap Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz yang didakwa atas kesalahan menyebar dan mengedar buku kontroversi karya Irshad Manji.
Jawi perlu tahu beza kuasa pengurus dan Lembaga Pengarah Borders - Ibdil
Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO menggesa Jawi membezakan tahap jawatan serta kuasa yang ada pada pengurus kedai buku, Nik Raina Abdul Aziz dengan Lembaga Pengarah Borders sendiri.
Nik Raina dilepas tanpa dibebaskan dalam kes sebar buku Irshad Manji
Mahkamah melepaskan tanpa membebaskan pengurus kedai Berjaya Books, Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz yang didakwa atas kesalahan menyebar dan mengedar buku kontroversi karya Irshad Manji.
Tak boleh tidur? Baca lah buku terbaru saya - Tun M
Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad melancarkan buku terbarunya, 'The Wit & Wisdom of Dr Mahathir Mohamad' yang diterbitkan oleh Editions Didier Millet (EDM).