SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — The state government has tabled the State Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening the legal position of Islam and the Syariah judiciary by formally recognising the Syariah Courts under Selangor’s highest law.
State executive councillor for Islamic affairs and innovation culture Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the proposed amendments will explicitly state that Islam in Selangor is practised according to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (ASWJ) doctrine, while introducing a new chapter on the Syariah judiciary to recognise the Syariah Courts as a state judicial institution.
The amendments do not introduce a new religious policy, but instead clarify and reinforce a position that has long been practised based on Selangor’s history, laws, and administration of Islam.
“This Bill is intended to strengthen the position of Islamic institutions and the Syariah judicial system in Selangor through amendments to the Constitution of Selangor 1959,” he said when tabling the Bill during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Fahmi added that formally recognising the ASWJ doctrine will provide a clear legal reference for the administration of Islamic affairs, including the issuance of fatwas, accreditation of religious teachers, Islamic policies, and Syariah legislation, thereby ensuring consistency across state religious institutions and avoiding differing interpretations.
The Bill also seeks to constitutionally recognise the Syariah courts, which are currently established under ordinary state legislation, to reinforce their status as an independent judicial institution within Selangor’s constitutional framework.
He said the amendments will also introduce a four-tier Syariah court structure comprising the Syariah Supreme Court, the Syariah Court of Appeal, the High Syariah Court, and the Lower Syariah Court.
The new structure is intended to provide a more comprehensive appeal and review mechanism, especially for complex cases involving Islamic law, public interest, and jurisdictional disputes.
Fahmi noted that the proposal is not intended to expand the constitutional jurisdiction of the Syariah courts or create any overlap with the civil courts.
“Rather, it aims to streamline the structure and hierarchy of the Syariah courts so that the Syariah judicial system in Selangor has a clearer framework, especially in providing more comprehensive judicial review for cases,” he said.
The councillor also assured that the amendments will not affect the rights of non-Muslims, introduce a new interpretation of Islam, or restrict Islamic academic research and scholarly discussions.
Instead, it ensures a clear and consistent reference for matters involving fatwas, religious policies, teaching accreditation, and the implementation of Syariah laws.
Fahmi said that the proposed amendments are the result of years of legal studies and stakeholder engagement involving the Selangor Islamic Religious Council, the Selangor Mufti Department, Syariah judicial institutions, federal agencies, legal experts, and academics.
