KOTA KINABALU: Being one of the states that integrates the Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah (ASWJ) teachings within its legal framework, Sabah’s primary challenge is balancing enforcement with education to foster unity within the state’s diverse society.
Sabah exco for religious affairs Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said Sabah has set up Syariah Courts to follow these teachings.
“This legal framework, formalised in 2018, builds on longstanding religious practices to provide clear guidance.
"To uphold these principles, Sabah is strengthening Syariah court authority, raising public awareness, and working closely with other agencies,” Arifin, who is also state Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said in the state assembly on Tuesday (Nov 19).
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) had asked how the state government intended to enforce ASWJ laws effectively without causing division in Sabah.
Shafie noted that ASWJ teachings have long been integral to Sabah’s Islamic practices, especially as issues of religious misdirection arise both locally and globally.
Arifin said ASWJ principles, rooted in the Quran, Sunnah, moderation, reason, and community harmony, are adaptable to Malaysia's multicultural landscape, especially in Sabah.
Prominent academics and community leaders have underscored the importance of aligning Sabah’s religious laws with ASWJ principles, emphasising their relevance in fostering unity within diverse communities.
For effective enforcement, Arifin said Islamic bodies require collaboration with other agencies.
“Sabah’s Islamic Religious Council coordinates with local law enforcement, the Immigration and Social Welfare departments, creating a multilayered approach to upholding religious integrity,” he said.
He added that recent actions against deviant teachings, such as those allegedly spread by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB), which are at odds with core Islamic principles, demonstrate Sabah’s proactive stance.
“Authorities actively monitor and respond to such teachings, many of which originate outside Sabah,” Arifin added.
