In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
Kelantan's State Legislative Assembly has unanimously approved the Syariah Criminal Offences Bill 2026, introducing restorative sentencing, compoundable offences, and enhanced penalties for religious offences.
The Kelantan state assembly has unanimously passed the Syariah Criminal Offences Bill 2026, a revised framework aimed at clarifying provisions after the Federal Court struck down 16 of 18 clauses in the previous 2019 enactment.
Kelantan will introduce the Syariah Offences (Kelantan) Bill 2026 at next week's state assembly sitting, replacing provisions struck down by the Federal Court in February 2024 over jurisdiction concerns.
Pahang's Sultan has championed community service sentences as a progressive alternative in Syariah criminal cases, arguing they should prioritize offender rehabilitation and social responsibility alongside legal accountability.
Malaysia is moving towards a unified accreditation system for Syariah lawyers, allowing practitioners admitted in one state to work nationwide. The proposal will be presented to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs.
Malaysia's proposed Syariah Judges' Remuneration Act is in its final stages, with documentation nearing completion before Cabinet submission, Religious Affairs Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan confirmed at a conference in Putrajaya.