Terengganu set to review its syariah laws

PETALING JAYA: The Terengganu government is ready to review its Syariah Criminal Enactment so that it does not contradict with federal law.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (pic) said the in-depth review would cover all aspects of the Federal Court’s decision to strike out 16 provisions under the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Enactment 2019.

Ahmad Samsuri said the apex court’s decision had not only affected Kelantan but also the entire nation, including Terengganu.

He told Sinar Harian that his government would take the necessary action against any party that intends to challenge the state’s criminal syariah enactment, adding that the court’s decision had left a negative impact on the syariah legal system in the country.

On Friday, the Federal Court ruled that 16 provisions under the Kelantan Syariah Enactment were unconstitutional.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan described the Federal Court judgment as a black Friday for the Syariah court.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im said the ruling would not affect the position of the syariah courts.

He said the Federal Constitution guaranteed the position of all syariah courts in each state and region in Malaysia, adding that his ministry would conduct a study on the judgment to further improve and empower the syariah courts.

Meanwhile the Syariah Judiciary Department said Malaysia’s Islamic laws would be further strengthened following the judgment, which would harmonise offences under both syariah and civil laws.