The case of former ustazah Kamariah Ali, 54, who claimed trial to a charge of apostasy under Terengganu's syariah criminal law, was today postponed to Aug 15.

Judge Mohamad Abdullah postponed the trial which already heard one testimony at the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court this morning to allow her an opportunity to engage a syariah lawyer.

Kamariah, a hardcore follower of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Ayah Pin in Hulu Besut, is being tried under section 7 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Takzir) 2001 for declaring herself an apostate to avoid action.

If convicted, she could be fined a maximum of RM5,000, land in prison for three years or both.

Contacted in Kuala Terengganu today, Haris Mohamed Ibrahim, Kamariah's counsel for civil matters said attempts are ongoing to get her a syariah lawyer.

"When the judge invited her to cross-examine the first prosecution witness, she appeared flustered. The court broke for 15 minutes before asking her again but she couldn't do it.

"She told the judge she didn't know what to do and that she couldn't understand the procedures. So the judge decided to postpone the trial," he said.

Last postponement

State chief syariah prosecutor Mustafar Hamzah, when contacted, said the postponement would be the last.

"I had already called in a witness but the accused appealed for more time to get a lawyer," he said.

"The court asked if it was okay to postpone the case and for the sake of justice, I agreed.

"If the accused is still unrepresented (on Monday), there is nothing we can do. The trial will proceed."

Contacted later, Sa'adiah Din, a Selangor-licenced syariah lawyer, said she has already submitted an application to the state Islamic Affairs and Malay Custom Council to practice in Terengganu.

"I hope to get a reply before the (Kamariah's) case continues on Monday."

Syariah lawyers in the east-coast state have kept the case, and that of 45 Ayah Pin followers charged under section 10, at arm's length for fear of a public backlash, peer pressure and personal conviction.

Kamariah also faces a charge under section 10 for insulting the state religious authorities by violating a fatwa (religious edict) declaring Ayah Pin or Ariffin Mohammad a Muslim deviant which also prohibits any involvement with him or his teachings.

Section 10 carries a maximum RM3,000 fine, two years jail or both. The case is up for re-mention on Sept 1 before the same judge.