By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, June 19 — His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has expressed his disappointment and concern over parts of the Federal Court’s decision concerning women’s rights group SIS Forum (Malaysia) today.
Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Senator Dato' Salehuddin Saidin said that the Ruler concurred with its disagreement over the decision.
"His Royal Highness stressed that the misuse of the word 'Islam' in the name and publications of SIS Forum (Malaysia) may cause confusion among the Muslim public.
[caption id="attachment_399717" align="alignright" width="414"]
Selangor Islamic Religious Council chairman Dato’ Seri Salehuddin Saidin speaks to reporters after a meet-and-greet with ex-GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd members, also participants of the council’s rehabilitation programme, at SRA Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, on May 4, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
"Following this court decision, His Royal Highness, as the head of Islam in Selangor, urges that SIS Forum (Malaysia) cease using the name 'Sisters in Islam' in any form of publication on any platform associated with the company, so that the term 'Islam' is not used indiscriminately for the benefit or interest of the said company," Salehuddin said in a statement.
He said the Federal Court's ruling on a dispute raised by SIS Forum concerning the Fatwa on Liberalism and Religious Pluralism, gazetted in Selangor July 31, 2014, was valid, insofar as it relates to several matters.
"The Court recognised that fatwas and the issuance of fatwas regarding deviant teachings fall under state jurisdiction, provided they do not exceed the scope of the State List in the Federal Constitution.
"Paragraph One of the fatwa does not apply to SIS Forum (Malaysia), whether as an organisation or institution, and applies only to individuals. Individuals who subscribe to liberalism and religious pluralism are deemed deviant and astray from Islamic teachings.
"Any individual who adheres to liberal or religious pluralist ideologies must repent and return to the path of Islam, as stated in Paragraph Four of the fatwa," Salehuddin said.
He noted that the Federal Court also ruled that several matters are invalid.
"This includes Paragraph Two of the fatwa, which states that any publication materials relating to liberalism and religious pluralism shall be banned and may be seized, and Paragraph Three, which calls upon the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block websites that contradict Islamic teachings and syarak law," Salehuddin said.
The chairman explained that this is because Paragraphs Two and Three pertain to Federal agencies and powers, which fall outside the jurisdiction of the Fatwa Committee, Mais, and the state government under Item One of the State List (List II) in the Federal Constitution.
"Although Mais respects the Federal Court's decision, we disagree with part of the judgment, particularly the ruling that the fatwa applies only to individuals and not to SIS Forum (Malaysia) as an organisation or institution. The council regrets that the Federal Court’s decision has, indirectly, interfered with the process of issuing and enforcing fatwas concerning Syarak (Islamic law).
"Mais is also concerned that the Federal Court’s majority ruling may open the door for irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam within companies, organisations or institutions, to practise and spread deviant teachings contrary to Islam — without being subject to enforcement action. If left unchecked, this could cause confusion and potentially undermine the aqidah (faith) of Muslims," he said.
Salehuddin added that Mais simultaneously fully agrees with and supports the dissenting judgment of Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who asserted that jurisdiction to decide disputes regarding this fatwa lies with the Syariah Court, based on the subject matter approach.
"He also stated that although the company involved is not a 'natural person' capable of professing Islam, it is still subject to the fatwa. This is because the name 'Sisters in Islam' clearly identifies it with Islam, and the company's activities involve publications and statements concerning Islamic matters.
"Furthermore, its founders and directors are Muslims. This dissenting view aligns with the arguments advanced by Mais, based on the concept of 'artificial persons' (syakhsiyyah i'tibariyyah) in Islamic jurisprudence, which allows actions to be taken against a company or organisation," he said.
To this, Salehuddin reiterated the council's determination to work alongside other religious enforcement bodies in continuing to monitor and enforce measures to eradicate teachings that are deviant or contrary to Islam in Selangor.
"Mais also urges and advises Muslims not to participate in or support any programmes related to ideologies that have been fatwa-ed as deviant, including liberalism and religious pluralism.
"We reaffirm our commitment to review and take appropriate action in collaboration with the Federal government, the state government, and the Islamic religious councils of other states, with the support of the royal institutions, to strengthen existing laws and elevate the position of Islam in line with its status as the Federation's religion.
SIS Forum has been involved in a lengthy dispute with Mais over its fatwa declaring the organisation as deviant from Islamic teachings, which culminated in today's ruling.
In a 3-1 majority decision, a four-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat allowed the appeal by SIS Forum and its co-founder Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, setting aside the fatwa, insofar as it applied to companies and institutions.
