Kedah ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah has decreed for the state government to review the syariah judicial structure in the country, particularly in terms of a hierarchical system so it can better serve the related parties.
According to Berita Harian, His Majesty also stated that the government needs to improve the position of the Syariah Court judges to be on par with the Civil Court.
His Majesty also reportedly wants the Syariah Court to become an important institution in line with the position of Islam in this state.
“Besides aspects of development and fiscal matters, I want to emphasize the aspect of state justice, namely the institution of the Syariah Court.
“As an empowerment step, the establishment of the Syariah Court should be placed in the Kedah State Constitution just as the Civil Court is clearly mentioned in the Federal Constitution,” His Majesty was quoted as saying.
Sultan Sallehuddin reportedly said this during the Opening Ceremony of the Second Session of the Kedah state assembly today.
Previously, it was reported by New Straits Times that seven sections stipulated under the Kedah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2014 were found to be similar or almost similar to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, which was repealed.
Among them are offences related to sodomy, incestuous acts, misuse of halal certification, intoxicating drinks, and the destruction or desecration of mosques, surau, and the like.
Furthermore, offences related to prostitution under the Kedah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2014 were found to also resemble Section 43, Section 44, and Section 45 of the Kelantan Sharia Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, which was repealed by the Federal Court.
For the offence of sodomy according to the Kedah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2014, any man found guilty of committing such an act may be fined not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years or subjected to not more than six strokes of the cane or punished with any combination of these penalties upon conviction.
As a result, the state government has established a committee comprising the state legal adviser and the state secretary, as well as several other parties, in an effort to strengthen the state’s syariah laws.
Also present were Kedah’s Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff, Crown Prince Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah, Crown Princess Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff, and Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Sultan Sallehuddin stated that the syariah court is the beacon of Islamic justice, hence, efforts to strengthen it should be expedited in order to dignify the stature of the institution in Kedah.
Sultan issues reminder to lawmakers
Meanwhile, the ruler reminded elected representatives to understand their role as lawmakers so as not to deviate from their original goals.
“The power of this assembly in enacting laws covers matters stipulated in the State List and the Concurrent List of the Federal Constitution.
“In addition, according to Article 77 of the Federal Constitution, the Council also has the power to enact laws on matters not expressly stated under any list in Schedule Nine.
“To become respected lawmakers, all assemblypersons must go down to the ground to understand the problems of the people and be open to hearing the views of all parties,” Sultan Sallehudin reportedly said. - Mkini
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