PN Establishes Committee to Strengthen Shariah Law in Malaysia

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has revealed plans to set up a dedicated committee to explore ways to fortify Shariah law and protect the interests of Muslims in Malaysia, following a recent Federal Court ruling that invalidated 16 provisions of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the coalition will convene a roundtable discussion to address this issue, with PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad leading the roundtable and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan heading the committee.

The committee, comprising constitutional experts, Islamic scholars, and other stakeholders, will deliberate on potential solutions. Muhyiddin emphasized that PN takes the Federal Court's decision seriously, as it will have significant implications for the position and scope of Shariah law in Malaysia.

The decision to establish the roundtable and committee was made during a recent meeting of the PN Supreme Council on Feb 14. Last Friday, the Federal Court, in an 8-1 majority decision, invalidated the 16 Shariah enactment provisions, ruling them unconstitutional.

Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat stated that the state assembly lacked the authority to pass these provisions, as they pertained to offences covered under federal law. This ruling highlights that the provisions encroached upon matters falling within federal law's jurisdiction, nullifying the state assembly's capacity to enact such regulations.

Takiyuddin expressed concern over the court's decision, calling it a "dark day" for Muslims in Malaysia, and warned of potential repercussions on Shariah laws in other states. Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who chairs the national council for Islamic affairs, urged respect for the Federal Court's verdict and the Federal Constitution, cautioning against exploiting the situation for vested interests, which he believed had caused confusion among Muslims in the country.

While acknowledging Takiyuddin's concerns, Sultan Sharafuddin refrained from escalating the issue further. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin announced the appointment of Labu assemblyman Hanifah Abu Baker as the PN Negri Sembilan chairman, taking over from Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

The appointment of Hanifah Abu Baker as the PN Negri Sembilan chairman comes after he was made Negri Sembilan Bersatu chief last month. Hanifah's new role signifies a strategic move within the PN leadership in the state.

This development underscores PN's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the Federal Court's ruling on Shariah law provisions. The establishment of the committee and the roundtable discussion reflect PN's proactive approach to ensuring the protection and enhancement of Shariah law in Malaysia.

Moving forward, the committee's work will be crucial in formulating solutions that uphold the principles of Shariah while respecting the Federal Constitution. The involvement of constitutional experts, Islamic scholars, and other stakeholders will help ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach to addressing the implications of the Federal Court's decision.

Overall, PN's efforts to fortify the position of Shariah law demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Muslims in Malaysia. The establishment of the committee and the roundtable discussion are significant steps towards addressing the legal complexities surrounding Shariah law and ensuring its proper implementation in the country.

Zulaikha Farhana is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

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