MCA: Mufti Bill raises several issues, government urged to carefully reconsider

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THE MCA today said the biggest controversy surrounding the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024 lies in the fact that Islamic rulings (fatwa) issued by each state’s mufti will be gazetted, giving them legal effect and enforceability upon Muslims.

In a statement, it said there were several key issues raised by this Bill which include the power of non-elected officials.

"The muftis, as non-elected officials, would have the power to enact legally binding regulations on Muslims, which goes against the spirit of democracy.

"Granting such significant legislative power to religious officials who are not subject to the oversight of elected representatives is inconsistent with the principles of a representative democracy," it said.

On the applicability of laws, it said in the Sulaiman Takrib vs State of Terengganu case, Federal Court Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamad ruled that violations of Islamic prohibitions cannot be considered criminal offences.

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