Latest news with #Selangor
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sultan of Selangor ‘sad and disappointed' over Federal Court's SIS fatwa ruling
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed disappointment and sadness with regard to the Federal Court's decision. The court ruled that a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee does not apply to the Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution, but only to individuals. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, the ruler expressed his agreement with the statement issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) regarding the court decision. Following this, the Sultan of Selangor, as the Head of Islam in the state, urged the SIS Forum Malaysia to cease using the term Sisters in Islam in any publication or platform associated with the organisation. This request was made to prevent the indiscriminate use of the term Islam for the benefit and interest of the organisation. 'His Majesty emphasised that the misuse of the term Islam in the name and publications of SIS Forum Malaysia can cause confusion among the Muslim community,' the post said. Earlier today, the Federal Court granted an appeal by SIS Forum Malaysia and its co-founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, challenging the 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee. The fatwa had labelled the organisation as deviating from Islamic teachings. A four-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in a 3-1 majority decision, set aside the fatwa regarding its applicability to companies and institutions. Mais Chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin earlier said that the council disagrees with part of the Federal Court's ruling, particularly the decision that the fatwa dated July 31, 2014, applies only to individuals and not to SIS Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution. He added that Mais had expressed sadness that the decision indirectly interferes with the process of issuing and applying fatwas related to Islamic law. 'Mais is also concerned that the Federal Court's majority decision in this case could open the door for irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam in companies, organisations, or institutions to practise and spread deviant teachings, thereby evading enforcement action. 'If this situation continues, it will cause confusion and may undermine the faith of Muslims,' he said. Salehuddin said that Mais fully agreed with Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais' dissenting judgment, which asserted that the jurisdiction for resolving disputes concerning the fatwa lies with the Syariah Court based on the nature of the matter. 'He (Abu Bakar) also said that although the company in this case is not a natural person who can profess the religion of Islam, the company is still subject to the fatwa. 'This is based on the name SIS — Sisters in Islam, which clearly reflects an Islamic identity, and the company's activities involve publications and statements on matters related to Islam. This is further reinforced by the fact that the founders and directors of the company are Muslims,' he said. Salehuddin added that the dissenting judgment aligns with the arguments put forth by Mais in the case. This refers to the concept of an artificial person or 'syakhsiyyah i'itibariyyah' in Islamic jurisprudence, which permits actions to be taken against a company or organisation. He said that Mais will continue to work alongside other religious authorities in Selangor to monitor and enforce actions against deviant teachings that contradict Islam. Salehuddin also urged the Muslim community to avoid any involvement in or support for programmes linked to ideologies deemed deviant and contrary to Islam, such as liberalism and religious pluralism. 'Mais also reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing and taking appropriate action in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments, as well as state Islamic religious councils and with the support of the royal institutions, to strengthen existing laws and uphold the status of Islam in accordance with its position as the religion of the Federation,' he said. Salehuddin said Mais' position was conveyed to the Sultan of Selangor, who agreed with the contents of the statement issued by Mais concerning the court decision. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Selangor sultan urges SIS to cease using ‘Islam' in its name
Selangor Sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed disappointment with the Federal Court's decision earlier this morning. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the head of Islam in the state, is urging women's rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) to cease arbitrarily using the word 'Islam' in its name or in any of the company's publications, after the Federal Court quashed a religious edict issued by the state's authorities earlier today. SIS is a company limited by guarantee established under the Companies Act 1965. 'The word 'Islam' should not be arbitrarily used to benefit the company or for its interest,' Sultan Sharafuddin said. The statement was published on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page. The sultan also said the 'misuse' of the word 'Islam' in SIS's name and publications could cause confusion among the Muslim community. He also expressed agreement with the Selangor Islamic religious council's (Mais) statement responding to the apex court's decision. Mais had pointed out that the Federal Court also declared as unconstitutional the state provision which allowed it to ban and confiscate material related to 'liberalism' and 'religious pluralism'. The council said it respected but disagreed with the court's decision, claiming it was akin to interfering in the formulation and implementation of fatwas based on Islamic law. It also expressed concern that the decision would lead to 'irresponsible' groups using 'Islam' in the names of their organisations or entities while practising and spreading deviant Islamic teachings. Mais said it would continue to work with the state's religious authorities to monitor and take action on anyone spreading deviant teachings. In a majority decision earlier today, the Federal Court ruled that a fatwa could not be imposed on an organisation like SIS which could not 'profess' a religion. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the phrase 'persons professing the religion of Islam' in the Federal Constitution refers exclusively to natural persons, not entities such as companies or organisations. Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Justice Nallini Pathmanathan formed the majority in the ruling while Justice Abu Bakar Jais dissented. SIS had sought to quash a 2014 fatwa by Mais that the NGO had deviated from the teachings of Islam by purportedly subscribing to 'liberalism' and 'religious pluralism'. The group contended that the fatwa was unconstitutional and could not be imposed on a corporate entity governed by civil law. It failed in its previous challenge of the fatwa in the lower courts between 2019 and 2023.
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Cops arrest three more Jelebu rehab escapees; two still at large
SEREMBAN, June 19 — Police have arrested three of the six trainees who escaped from the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Jelebu two days ago. Jelebu police chief Supt Azizan Said said the three men, two aged 36 and one aged 42, were apprehended along Jalan Kongkoi at around noon today. 'So far, four of the escapees have been caught. We are still tracking down the remaining two, identified as V. Manimaran, 38, whose last known address is in Taman Seri Bernam, Selangor, and K. Mohanarajh, 25, from Taman Bertuah, Perak,' he said in a statement today. Yesterday, another 35-year-old escapee was arrested within 24 hours of the incident near the Rotan Titi Cane factory in Kongkoi, about five kilometres from the centre. Police received a report about the escape at around 1am and immediately launched an operation with the assistance of sniffer dogs and personnel from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Jelebu. The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code. — Bernama
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sepang International Circuit to host 2026 Malaysia Games opening ceremony
The 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) opening ceremony will be held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), marking the first time in history the event will be staged outside a stadium. SIC will also feature in the road cycling events, serving as either the start or finish line. Track cycling events will take place at the Nilai Velodrome in Negeri Sembilan. Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the idea to hold the opening ceremony at SIC was aimed at creating something different. The inspiration came partly from the Paris Olympics, which held its opening ceremony on the Seine River. Mohd Najwan, who met senior editors and journalists in Setia Alam, Selangor, this afternoon, also revealed that the organising committee has approved upgrades to aquatics, shooting, and archery venues across the state, as well as to the Pandamaran and Petaling Jaya City Council hockey stadiums. ADVERTISEMENT No new stadiums will be built for the 2026 Sukma, which Selangor aims to organise within a budget of approximately RM200 million. 'As the main stadium at the Shah Alam Sports Complex will only be ready in 2027, we decided to create something different and memorable for the 2026 Sukma opening ceremony,' said Mohd Najwan. 'We saw how unique the Paris Olympics opening ceremony was, and we plan to deliver something just as exciting to showcase the state's uniqueness. 'Sepang International Circuit would be perfect. I can't reveal the plans yet, but we have more than a year to prepare. We don't want a clichéd opening ceremony.' Mohd Najwan added that the exact date of the 2026 Sukma will be announced by Aug 15, when the Sukma Supreme Council is also expected to unveil the complete list of sports. There will be 28 core sports, along with five optional ones. ADVERTISEMENT Among the sports under consideration are chess, Chinese chess, boxing, silambam, kabaddi, Muay Thai, cricket, softball, pickleball, and e-sports. Joining Mohd Najwan in the media engagement were two officials from the organising committee – Venu Ramadass (deputy chief executive officer-cum-chief operating officer) and Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi – who also shared the state's vision for the Games.
Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- Malay Mail
University student pleads guilty to sexually assaulting his eight-year-old cousin in Sungai Buloh
KLANG, June 19 — A local university student pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court here today to three charges of physical sexual assault against a girl who is his cousin in 2023 and 2025. Based on two charges, the 19-year-old man committed physical sexual assault against an eight-year-old girl on March 2 and 3 this year at a house in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. For the third charge, he was also accused of committing the offence of physical sexual assault against the victim at the same house on September 10, 2023. All the offences were charged under Section 14(a) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and if convicted, the accused can be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 20 years and can be whipped. Previously, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur 'Ayuni Jamri requested a new date for the preparation of a social report from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) considering that the accused is a young offender, in addition to being used as case facts and for sentencing. Nur 'Ayuni did not propose any bail due to the accused having a familial relationship with the victim, but suggested RM15,000 if the court allows it, with the additional condition of not disturbing any witnesses. The accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, in his mitigation, requested that the bail amount be reduced because he regretted his actions, was unemployed, and was still being supported by his father. 'This is my first mistake. I realise that I made a mistake. Previously, when I was detained for less than a month, I took that time to reflect on what I had done and repented. 'I am the eldest child and have the responsibility as an older brother to set a good example for my younger siblings. I request a reduction in the bail,' he said. However, Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali set the bail amount at RM8,000 and August 20 as the sentencing date. In a separate case in the same court, a 37-year-old lorry driver was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 20 strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to raping his daughter last year and on May 17. The court also ordered the defendant to undergo counselling and police supervision for two years after completing the sentence. According to two charges, the lorry driver was accused of raping his biological child on November 10, 2024, and May 17, 2025, when the victim was 10 and 11 years old respectively, in a house in Meru, Klang. The man was charged under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of not more than 30 years and not less than 10 strokes of the rotan, upon conviction. The case was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Jannah Aimi while the accused was not represented by a lawyer. — Bernama
