After federal court ruling in Malaysia, opposition leader calls for dialogue on constitutional amendment to strengthen sharia law system

Hamzah Zainudin, a prominent opposition leader, has recently advocated for a dialogue involving all stakeholders to discuss a constitutional amendment aimed at bolstering the syariah legal system. The proposed amendment, Zainudin argues, is vital to secure the constitutional rights of the Malay population to profess and practice Islam. [...] In a landmark judgment, the federal court ruled that [Kelantan] state did not possess the authority to enact laws that clearly fell under the federal powers, as outlined in the Federal Constitution. This decision invalidated the Kelantan state assembly's amendments to its sharia law. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has been persistently advocating for broader jurisdiction for sharia law, including the enforcement of severe punishments for crimes under hudud. The constitutional challenge to the amendments triggered widespread outrage among Islamists and leaders in PAS. [...] The federal court's ruling has elicited a divided response. While some have welcomed the decision, others, particularly those aligned with PAS, have expressed their disappointment. Despite the judgment, the government has pledged to empower the sharia courts, signaling its commitment to the Malay population's constitutional right to practice Islam.
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