Malaysia's Supreme Court Invalidates Kelantan's Sharia Law Provisions

Malaysia's Federal Court invalidated 16 Shariah-based criminal laws in Kelantan state, ruling that they encroached on federal authority, sparking backlash from Islamists who fear it could undermine religious courts nationwide. The laws covered offenses such as sodomy, sexual harassment, incest, and cross-dressing. The decision, filed by two Muslim women, is seen as a victory for the Malaysian Constitution, but has led to protests by supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, which governs four states and advocates for strict Islamic legal norms. The federal government assured that the ruling would not affect the position of Shariah courts, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the issue is about state jurisdiction and should not be politicized.