JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government will scrutinise and assess the repercussions of the Federal Court's decision to invalidate 16 Shariah offences under the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.
Its Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said in-depth research and analysis are needed due to the matter's sensitive nature.
He said that any decisions made at the state level must align with those at the federal level.
"This concerns legal matters, and I know that Umno deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, has also addressed this issue. We at Johor Umno agree with his stance.
"At the Johor government level, it's imperative that we conduct a thorough study of the Federal Court's decision. We must ensure coherence between state and federal directives."
He made these remarks following the Umno Johor Liaison Meeting held earlier today.
The meeting was attended by several leaders, including former Johor Umno chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled, who also holds the position of Umno vice president, and Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who serves as the Deputy Works minister.
Ahmad Maslan, who also sits on the Umno Supreme Council, echoed the sentiment to bolster the Shariah Court, indicating Johor Umno's alignment with the stance of Umno Central.
"Umno is committed to enhancing and fortifying the Shariah Court. If necessary, amendments to the Constitution will be deliberated at the highest level to reinforce the institution," he said.
On Feb 9, a panel of eight judges, led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, decided to nullify 16 Shariah offences specified in the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.
This ruling stemmed from a petition filed by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman.
In delivering the panel's verdict, Tengku Maimun cited that the State Legislative Assembly had overstepped its authority in enacting laws, thereby justifying the annulment.
The decision was reached with an 8-1 majority, with the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli dissenting.
Both petitioners had sought redress from the Federal Court, contending that the State Assembly had exceeded its jurisdiction by enacting 18 Shariah offences under the Kelantan enactment.
However, the panel upheld the validity of two other provisions.