The Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has emphasized that the decision made by the Federal Court to strike down 16 provisions in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (1) 2019 should not be politicized. He stated that the decision pertains to the legislative provisions passed by the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and not the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with Muslim MPs to strengthen Syariah laws, as long as the matter is not politicized. He emphasized the importance of focusing on determining ideas, rather than letting politics become the main agenda.
The Deputy Prime Minister made these comments after visiting his adoptive family for Chinese New Year on Sunday (Feb 11).
Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, was responding to an invitation by Kelantan PAS Deputy Commissioner II, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, for all parties, especially Muslim MPs, to discuss how Syariah laws can be strengthened.
The Federal Court’s decision to nullify 16 provisions of offences under the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (1) 2019 was made after a petition was filed by Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Abdul Rahman. The court ruled in an 8-1 majority decision that the State Legislature did not have the power to enact laws on said offences because there were federal laws covering the same offences.
Responding to a question on whether the Cabinet would hold a meeting following the Federal Court’s decision, Zahid stated that there were no current plans to raise the matter in the Cabinet.
