By Rozanna LatiffKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's top court on Friday declared more than a dozen Islamic laws enacted by the northeastern state of Kelantan as unconstitutional, in a decision that could affect the legality of sharia in other parts of the Muslim-majority country.
Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims, running alongside civil laws.
Islamic laws are enacted by state legislatures while civil laws are passed by Malaysia's parliament.
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who delivered the majority judgement said the state had no power to enact the laws, as the subject of the legal provisions were covered under parliament's law-making powers.
"We therefore allow the petition's application for a declaration that (these laws) are void and invalid," she said.
Persons:
Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Muhyiddin Yassin, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor
Organizations:
Reuters, Federal, PAS
Locations:
Latiff KUALA LUMPUR, Kelantan, Malaysia, Malaysia's