Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman has spoken out about the harrowing experience her mother, Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid, endured, revealing that it began with death threats and accusations of blasphemy following the viral spread of a constitutional challenge by lawyers associated with a particular political faction, left unnamed. Despite the Federal Court ruling in favour of nullifying 16 out of the 18 challenged provisions, Tengku Yasmin expressed the toll it took on her well-being, citing sleepless nights and loss of appetite.
Reflecting on the past six months, Tengku Yasmin recounted the persistent onslaught of death threats and accusations of blasphemy hurled at her and her mother, particularly amplified after the constitutional challenge gained traction on social media. She lamented the deliberate distortion of her mother's past writings, manipulated to portray her as a 'liberal,' aimed at undermining their cause and tarnishing their reputation.
Emphasizing the limited scope of their petition, Tengku Yasmin reiterated that it solely addressed jurisdictional issues between state legislative assemblies and the federal government, with no bearing on the position of Islam or the authority of Malay Rulers, despite attempts by certain factions to insinuate otherwise.
In response to the escalating threats, Nik Elin lodged three police reports, prompting an investigation under relevant sections of the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. The authorities are actively pursuing the identification of individuals behind the threats, collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for assistance.
The legal battle centered on the constitutionality of 18 provisions within Kelantan's Shariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, with Nik Elin and Tengku Yasmin contending that the state legislature lacked authority to enact laws on these offences due to existing federal legislation. The Federal Court's ruling, declaring 16 provisions invalid, was hailed by Nik Elin as a testament to the supremacy of the Federal Constitution, underscoring the competency of state legislative assemblies as determined by the judiciary.
In conclusion, Tengku Yasmin emphasized the broader implications of their legal challenge, affirming their commitment to upholding constitutional principles and seeking justice within the bounds of the law, despite facing relentless adversity and threats to their safety.
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