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Kelantan's state assembly has unanimously passed the Syariah Criminal Offences Bill 2026, a restructured law designed to address gaps created when the Federal Court invalidated most provisions of its 2019 predecessor.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan has cautioned that unregistered marriages create significant obstacles for children's access to birth certificates, education and healthcare, while complicating inheritance and family disputes.
Kelantan will present the Syariah Offences Bill 2026 to its state assembly next week, redesigned after a landmark Federal Court decision invalidated 16 provisions of the 2019 enactment for overstepping state jurisdiction.
Pahang's Sultan has called for community service to play a larger role in Syariah sentencing, emphasizing rehabilitation over retribution and reflecting evolving approaches to Islamic justice administration across Malaysian states.
A proposal to create uniform Syariah lawyer accreditation nationwide will be submitted to Malaysia's National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, potentially streamlining interstate legal practice.
Malaysia's religious affairs ministry is investigating claims that a JAKIM reference number was misused on a marriage declaration letter issued by the Malaysia Rohingya Ulama Council, raising questions about document authenticity and regulatory oversight.