Jawi withdraws case against bookstore manager

(The Star) – Former Berjaya Books store manager Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz, who was accused of disseminating and distributing a controversial book by Canadian author Irshad Manji, has had her prayers answered when Jawi decided to withdraw prosecution against her at the Syariah High Court.

Nik Raina, 39, who is now Berjaya Books area manager and responsible for training new staff, said she still could not believe the news.

“My prayers have been answered. I just got emotional when I received the news from my boss Berjaya Books chief operating officer Yau Su Peng that Jawi has dropped the charge against me,” said Nik Raina when contacted by The Star.

“I thank God, my lawyer Rosli Dahlan for the way he handled my case and my bosses for their financial and moral support throughout the case. I am just lucky to have their support,” added Nik Raina.

Earlier, Rosli confirmed that he had received a letter stating that the syariah prosecution chief had withdrawn all action against Nik Raina at the Syariah court.

“I just received the notice of withdrawal of the syariah appeal. They sent the notice to the Syariah Court of Appeal on Monday.

“There will be no appeal against Nik Raina pending at the Syariah Court of Appeal,” added Rosli.

He said he was grateful to the new Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya for making the favourable decision following his meeting with him last Tuesday.

“I explained to him about the conflict of law and the orders of the civil court. We respect him for making this decision as this shows that he is a man of action than words.”

In February, Syariah High Court judge Mohd Amran Mat Zain gave Nik Raina a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.