A former chief syariah judge described Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin as having been misguided in his intention to prosecute Shamsuddin Latif, the man who created a national controversy by divorcing his wife via SMS.

"The government has no grounds to prosecute Shamsuddin (Latif) because, among other reasons, his application for divorce fell under cerai ta'liq. Technically, Shamsuddin has not done anything wrong," former Chief Syariah Judge (Federal Territory) Syeikh Azmi Ahmad today.

Abdul Hamid yesterday announced plans to prosecute Shamsuddin for pronouncing talaq on Azida Fazlina Abdul Latif outside the court.