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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Twins fail in civil court bid to exit Islam
SHAH ALAM: The High Court here has dismissed a suit filed by 26-year-old twin sisters seeking to renounce Islam. Judicial Commissioner Rozi Bainon ruled that the matter falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court, as it involves questions of faith, conversion, and Islamic legal status. The plaintiffs claimed they were forced to recite the syahadah and convert to Islam at the age of 14 by their mother, who had embraced the religion several years earlier. They argued that the conversion was done without their consent or understanding and maintained that they had never lived as Muslims nor professed the faith. Their mother, who embraced Islam in 2007, admitted in court via affidavit that she had forced the children to convert, and now regretted the decision. The plaintiffs also stated that they continued to practise Chinese religious customs and identified with their ancestral beliefs. The plaintiffs filed an originating summons in December last year by naming the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and the Selangor state government as defendants. The defendants argued that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs fell squarely within the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court as provided under Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution. The defendants submitted that any claim challenging the validity of conversion to Islam, particularly involving the syahadah recitation and questions of faith, must be addressed according to Islamic law and determined by the Syariah Court. Mais said the plaintiffs had already acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court when they previously filed two suits there in 2023, seeking declarations that they were no longer Muslims. The suits, however, were later withdrawn without explanation. Mais viewed the subsequent filing of the present civil action as an abuse of court process and a form of "court shopping." The defendants stressed that the plaintiffs remained Muslims in the eyes of the law unless and until a valid renunciation is recognised through the proper Syariah legal process. The court, agreeing with the defendants' submissions, ruled that although the plaintiffs now claimed they never embraced Islam voluntarily, the validity of their conversion must be determined under Islamic law. The court said that civil courts cannot usurp the role of the Syariah Court in determining issues related to aqidah (faith) and religious identity, especially where there is no constitutional challenge or judicial review involved. Rozi stressed that the absence of a Syariah Court declaration meant their status as Muslims remained intact. "The civil court is not the proper forum for such a declaration. The matter of religious status must be brought before the Syariah Court. "The subject matter of this suit touches directly on questions of faith and religious identity, matters which the Federal Constitution places squarely within the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court. "Plaintiffs cannot simply abandon one court and turn to another in search of a more favourable outcome. "This amounts to court shopping and is a misuse of judicial process," she said in her ground of judgment dated yesterday. Lawyers Muhammad Firdaus Danial Tan and Crystal Jan Wong Mae appeared for the plaintiffs. Mais was represented by Majdah Muda while State assistant legal advisor Nurul Izzah Abdul Mutalib appeared for the state government.
The Star
12-07-2025
- The Star
Motivational event organiser linked to immoral acts summoned by Mais before in 2022
SHAH ALAM: The organiser of a marital motivation programme, alleged to have conducted immoral activities during a session at a convention centre here, was summoned by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) three years ago regarding their modules. The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director, Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad, said a former participant of the group's programme lodged a report in 2022, raising concerns regarding the inappropriate modules that the organiser used in the programme. "The organiser was called in by the hearing panel under the Mais Aqidah Control Committee and was instructed to revise several modules to ensure compliance with Islamic principles,' he said in a statement on Saturday (July 12). Shahzihan said that Jais did not receive any report about the alleged immoral activities during one of the group's sessions at a convention centre in September last year, which went viral on social media. However, he said that the department will summon several individuals on Tuesday (July 15) to assist in the investigation and will work closely with the police. He said Jais will conduct an investigation under Section 7 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995 (false doctrine), on suspicion that a ceremony or act related to Islam had taken place which is contrary to Islamic law. "Jais views such matters seriously and will take all necessary measures to prevent and counter any activity that goes against Islamic law and ethical values, which are rejected by all levels of society in Selangor and the country at large,' he said. He also urged the public with information on the programme to contact Jais Enforcement Management Division via its hotline at 1800-88-2424 or to visit the Jais office directly.- Bernama
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No room for extremism or liberalism: Selangor passes amendment to state law on the administration of Islam
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The Selangor State Legislative Assembly today passed the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2025, aimed at clarifying the criteria for appointing members of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) other than ex-officio members, members of the Fatwa Committee, the Credentials Committee and the Credentials Appeal Committee, who must adhere to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed. The bill, which involves amendments to 10 clauses, was unanimously passed after the third reading, following a debate by six assemblymen at today's sitting. Earlier, State Islamic Religious Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, when tabling the bill, said the amendment proposes to include the interpretation of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah in Enactment No. 1/2003. He said that during the drafting of the 2025 Bill, Mais conducted engagement sessions with stakeholders, including legal experts and representatives from relevant departments and organisations. 'Among the parties involved were the Selangor State Legal Advisor's Chamber, Selangor Mufti Department, Selangor Syariah Judicial Department, Selangor Prosecution Department, Selangor Islamic Religious Department, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Attorney General's Chambers, academics and other relevant stakeholders,' he said when tabling the bill here. Elaborating, Mohammad Fahmi said the amendment could also prevent the appointment of individuals with extreme or liberal views, or those inclined towards teachings that deviate from the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed, in the administration of Islamic affairs in Selangor. 'It is also to ensure that the Islamic administration of Selangor aligns with the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and the principles of Maqasid Syariah, particularly in preserving the religion,' he said. Mohammad Fahmi said the bill was also in line with the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, on March 14, instructing Mais chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin to immediately implement the amendment to include provisions on the position and interpretation of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah for the Muslim community, particularly in Selangor. — Bernama
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No room for extremism or liberalism: Selangor passes Religion of Islam Amendment Bill
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The Selangor State Legislative Assembly today passed the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2025, aimed at clarifying the criteria for appointing members of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) other than ex-officio members, members of the Fatwa Committee, the Credentials Committee and the Credentials Appeal Committee, who must adhere to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed. The bill, which involves amendments to 10 clauses, was unanimously passed after the third reading, following a debate by six assemblymen at today's sitting. Earlier, State Islamic Religious Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, when tabling the bill, said the amendment proposes to include the interpretation of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah in Enactment No. 1/2003. He said that during the drafting of the 2025 Bill, Mais conducted engagement sessions with stakeholders, including legal experts and representatives from relevant departments and organisations. 'Among the parties involved were the Selangor State Legal Advisor's Chamber, Selangor Mufti Department, Selangor Syariah Judicial Department, Selangor Prosecution Department, Selangor Islamic Religious Department, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Attorney General's Chambers, academics and other relevant stakeholders,' he said when tabling the bill here. Elaborating, Mohammad Fahmi said the amendment could also prevent the appointment of individuals with extreme or liberal views, or those inclined towards teachings that deviate from the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed, in the administration of Islamic affairs in Selangor. 'It is also to ensure that the Islamic administration of Selangor aligns with the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and the principles of Maqasid Syariah, particularly in preserving the religion,' he said. Mohammad Fahmi said the bill was also in line with the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, on March 14, instructing Mais chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin to immediately implement the amendment to include provisions on the position and interpretation of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah for the Muslim community, particularly in Selangor. — Bernama
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Pay up or lose your assets: Errant ex-husbands face seizures, frozen income under Selangor's proposed crackdown on ‘nafkah' dodgers
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — Seizure of assets is among the mechanisms being considered by the Selangor government against husbands who evade and default on court-ordered nafkah (financial support) maintenance. State Islamic Religious Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said other proposed measures include income withholding orders, garnishment orders, and the sale of property belonging to defaulters. 'The selection of an appropriate and efficient mechanism by the party seeking maintenance, especially the ex-wife or children's guardian, is a crucial factor in ensuring the successful enforcement of maintenance orders. 'Failure to choose the right channel or mechanism can cause delays, confusion, and ultimately jeopardise the rights of the maintenance recipient,' he told the State Assembly today. He was responding to an oral question from Mariam Abdul Rashid (PH-Meru) on efforts by the state government to strengthen state laws and enable stricter action against those who evade maintenance payments. Mohammad Fahmi said the state government, through the Syariah Judicial Department (Jakess), is also exploring strategic collaboration opportunities with other agencies such as the National Registration Department, the Inland Revenue Board, and financial institutions to assist in the process of tracing and seizing the assets of individuals who have defaulted on maintenance orders. 'The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais), together with Jakess, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), academics, and Shariah legal experts, are currently reviewing and proposing amendments to the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Selangor State) 2003 to improve provisions related to the enforcement of maintenance orders,' he said. He also told the State Assembly that 1,189 complaints of maintenance violations had been received by the Selangor State Family Support Division since 2022 until May 31 this year. — Bernama
