The group said Siti Nuramira Abdullah had already been charged in the sessions court for insulting Islam.

“It would be untenable if she is charged for a similar offence in another court using the same facts, as it “may be tantamount to double jeopardy” which is against the Constitution.

“Sisters in Islam urges the federal territories religious department and, by extension, the government to cease any plans to charge Siti Nuramira in the shariah court,” the group said.

It was responding to a statement by deputy religious affairs minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary that Siti Nuramira would be charged in the shariah court for insulting Islam.

SIS said the decision to charge her in the shariah court would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. “It is our tax dollars that are paying for this show of force,” the group said.

The cost of investigation, calling for witnesses and trial proceedings would require more funds to be incurred for this repetitive action, it said.

Plea for donations to post RM40,000 bail

Siti Nuramira and her partner Alexander Navin Vijayachandran have been charged separately in the sessions court over the performance. Bail was set at a total of RM40,000 for the pair.

They have appealed for public donations to raise bail, and their lawyer R Sivaraj said the Lawyers for Liberty group has agreed to accept donations via the group’s CIMB bank account No 8003397725, according to the Vibes website.

He said the purpose of bail is not to punish the accused but to ensure their attendance at subsequent court hearings.

Siti Nuramira has pleaded not guilty to causing disharmony among the Muslim community with her performance at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail on June 4.

She sparked controversy after discarding her headscarf and baju kurung to reveal a halter-top blouse and miniskirt, after proclaiming she was a Muslim who had memorised 15 chapters of the Quran.

Navin was charged with posting insensitive materials online.