KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the engagement to empower the syariah courts will be inclusive of all stakeholders, regardless of their political affiliation. The Prime Minister confirmed that he has directed a special committee to review the competency of the state legislative assemblies to enact Islamic laws under the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI), emphasizing the need to engage all ulamas, including those affiliated with opposition parties. “Yes, it will be all ulamas – even the opposition. I have mentioned this,” said Anwar briefly in response to a query about including ulamas aligned to Perikatan Nasional governing Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah.
During the launch of the one-day Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) carnival at Tasik Titiwangsa, Anwar, who is also the MKI deputy chairman, emphasized the need to engage all ulamas and muftis. The event was held in conjunction with MAIWP’s golden jubilee this year and featured more than 100 stalls open to the public. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and MAIWP chairman Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer were also in attendance. Anwar used the opportunity to address those who sought to politicize the apex court decision on the Kelantan syariah laws, comparing it to a similar case involving Selangor syariah laws in 2021.
Anwar called upon the need for harmony among Muslims and criticized the attempts to cause division based on the recent judicial decisions. He highlighted the establishment of a special committee to review the competency of the state legislative assemblies to enact Islamic laws and empower the syariah courts, emphasizing the importance of considering non-Muslims in the country and presenting all views to study their constitutionality. Anwar stressed the significance of empowering the syariah courts, referencing historical efforts to amend the Constitution to ensure syariah judgments could not be overruled by civil courts, and reiterated the need for a country governed by laws, not political sermons, to address misinterpretations of recent judicial decisions. Mohd Na’im emphasized the engagement process duration and ongoing considerations related to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act.
The engagement on the Act was still ongoing and would be presented to the Cabinet again before a decision was made. RUU355, previously tabled by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as a Private Members’ Bill, sought to increase the maximum punishment in the Syariah Court to 30 years’ jail, fines of up to RM100,000, and 100 strokes of the cane.
