Former Chief Justice defends court's ruling on Kelantan shariah law

The former Chief Justice said the Federal Court's intervention was necessary to address overreach by the Kelantan state assembly in its legislative authority. Tengku Maimun clarified that the court's decision did not aim to weaken the position or jurisdiction of shariah courts, but rather to ensure state legislatures operated within their constitutional limits.

The 2024 judgment examined provisions of the Kelantan Islamic enactment and determined that certain elements exceeded the state assembly's powers under the Federal Constitution. Tengku Maimun's comments come as the ruling continues to draw scrutiny from various quarters regarding the balance between state and federal legislative authority over Islamic law matters.

The former Chief Justice's remarks underscore the judiciary's role in maintaining constitutional order while respecting the autonomy of shariah courts within their prescribed jurisdiction. Her statement suggests the apex court sought to correct procedural or constitutional irregularities rather than substantively curtail Islamic legal institutions' capacity to function.

The decision remains significant in Malaysia's ongoing constitutional discourse concerning the interplay between state and federal powers, particularly regarding religious matters and the shariah legal framework.