KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has slammed certain quarters for intentionally politicising the much-debated Federal Court’s decision to nullify 16 provisions under Kelantan’s shariah laws.
On February 9, the apex court declared 16 provisions in the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 as unconstitutional when deciding on a challenge filed by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman.
Anwar pointed out that when the duo had first brought up their petition in 2021, the government at the time had not protested against the case, highlighting that the polemic rhetoric now is politically motivated to divide the public.
“Why didn’t you condemn it back then (when) you were the government then? Now, when we are in power and the decision has been made, we are condemned, including the chief justice (Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat),” Anwar said.
“The judges made the decision based on the law and the Federal Constitution. All parties should read the full judgement of the apex court’s ruling (where) the chief justice had explained that there was no attempt to undermine Islam or the shariah court.”
The prime minister said this in his speech at the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) Carnival 2024 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, here today.
Besides that, Anwar also said those dissatisfied with the court’s decision are free to present their suggestions to the Special Committee to Review the Competency of State Legislatures to Enact Islamic Law.
“We are open to any recommendations and views that can be passed on to the committee in an attempt to strengthen shariah laws,” he said, adding that the special committee has been urged to engage states, ulama and academic representatives.
In December last year, former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi assumed the role of the special committee chairman tasked with reviewing the competence of state legislative assemblies in enacting Islamic law. – February 18, 2024