Overview

This module considers the law and the government’s attitude against those who do not abide by the official version of Islam in Malaysia. We will explore the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment, using the Selangor Enactment as our reference, and look at several cases where the State Government prosecuted Muslims considered deviant.

Learning objectives

Upon the completion of this module, you should have learned the following:

• An introduction about the spread and development of Islam in Malaysia;
• The official version of Islam in Malaysia;
• Understand how a Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment plays a significant role in preserving and maintaining the official version of Islam in Malaysia;
• Exposure about how offences under a Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment may engage provisions in the Federal Constitution relating to fundamental liberties; and
• What governmental action is taken against those who act or opine contrary to the official version of
  Islam.

References

• Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan & Ors v Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd & Ors [2015] 3 CLJ 461
• http://darisungaiderhaka.blogspot.my/2014/02/kenyataan-penuh-jakim-berhubung-isu.html (JAKIM
  statement on Kassim Ahmad lecture)
• http://masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/ahlsunna.htm (quote on Al Sunnah Wal Jamaah)
• http://www.ahmadiyya.us/
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8711026.stm
• http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-borders-case-common-sense-triumphs-over-bad-faith

Reading Materials

The Federal Constitution https://mcchr.org/fc

5.1. Islam and Muslims in Malaysia

5.2. The Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment

Take the quiz: Module 5

This strategic litigation continuing legal education series on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief is produced by MCCHR and LB Training with support from the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative.