ALOR STAR – The Kedah state assembly today passed a bill to include the shariah court in the Kedah constitution.
The Kedah State Constitution (Amendment 2024) Bill 2024, which also includes the establishment of the shariah premier court, was tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor before being debated and unanimously approved by members of the state assembly.
When tabling the bill, Sanusi said that the amendment was in line with Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah’s decree to empower the shariah court and place it under the state constitution.
“Sultan Sallehuddin also urged that the government review the shariah court structure, such as its hierarchical system, to ensure greater justice for the parties involved.
“In keeping with the sultan’s decree and to improve the shariah court’s position, the state government is of the view that it should be placed under the Kedah constitution, making it a key institution in accordance with Islam’s status in the state,” he said.
Sanusi said that the current structure of the shariah court in Kedah comprises three levels, namely the shariah court of appeal, the shariah high court, and the shariah lower court.
He said that to ensure a fair justice process, an additional layer should be introduced into the shariah court structure in Kedah, namely the shariah premier court.
Sanusi said that under this new structure, cases heard in the shariah high court can be reviewed by the shariah court of appeal and, if necessary, referred to the shariah premier court.
At today’s sitting, the Kedah assembly unanimously approved four more bills related to Islamic legal affairs in the state.
The bills were the Supplementary State Expenditure Enactment No. 1 of 2024, the Syariah Court Enactment (Kedah Darul Aman) Bill 2024, the Islamic Law Administration Enactment (Kedah Darul Aman) (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Kedah Darul Aman) (Amendment) Bill 2024. – August 25, 2025