Islamic Law In Malaysia

Islamic Law in Malaysia - SEMINAR di Treatrikal UIN Sunan Kalijaga (Satuday, 28 November 2015)

Presented By Dr. Zaid Bin Mohamad

INDTRODUCTION ABOUT MALAYSIA
Malaysia is a federation
Malaysia is a monarchy

• Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, and Terengganu (7 Sultans)
• Perlis (1 Raja)
• Negeri Sembilan (1 Yang Di Pertuan Besar)
• Malacca and Penang (2 Governors)
• Sabah and Sarawak ( 2 Yang Di Perua)

Malaysia is a secular state
Malaysia is a Common Law state
Malaysia is a multi racial state
Citizens are divided into 3 categories :

1. Malay Bumiputera Melayu - 50 %
2. Non-Malay Bumiputera (dayak, Bajau, Kadazan, Murut, Dusun, Kwijan, etc) - 5 %
3. Non-Bumiputera (Chinese, Indian, etc) - 45 %

ISLAMIC LAW IN MALAYSIA
Brief History
Proof that Islamic Law was the law of the land before the coming of British

1. Statement of Wilkonson in ' Papers on Malay Subjects' (1908) Law Part 1, Kuala Lumpur
2. Statement of an Appeal Court in Ramah v. Laton (1927)
3. Statement of Edmonds JC in Sheik Abdul Latif v. Elias Bux (1915)
4. Statement of Gibson, a British legal advisor to Kedah and Undang-Undang Paduka Tuan, Kedah 1667
5. Statement of W. R. Roff, a British historian about Kelantan in 19 century
6. Article 51, Constitution of Terengganu, Itqan al Muluk fi Ta'dil al Suluk, 1911
7. Undang-Undang Pahang, 1592-1614
8. Risalah Hukum Kanun Johor, 1789
9. Hukum Kanun Melaka, 1424-1444

Charactristics of Islamic Law in Malaysia

1. Applicable only to Muslims
2. Limited to Family Law, inherintance and 'religious crimes'
3. Islamic law is state law
4. Limited Jurisdiction - 3 years imprisonment
5. If there is any contradiction between state law and federal law, federal prevails.

Syariah Court

• Syariah lower court
• Syariah high court
• Syariah appeal court

Civil Jurisdiction of Syariah Court
Criminal Jurisdiction of Syariah Court
Separation of Jurisdiction between Secular Court and Syariah Court