20/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 20, 2025

5

Court allows appeal by Sisters in Islam in fatwa case

Police foil cross-border smuggling of RM10m drugs

JITRA: Police have foiled an attempt to smuggle heroin base and methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) powder from Thailand with the arrest of two individuals in separate operations in Bukit Kayu Hitam on Sunday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the joint operation with Thai authorities led to the seizure of 120.46kg of heroin base and 2.37kg of MDMA, with an estimated street value of RM10.8 million. He said the arrests were made following intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts between the Royal Thai Police, as well as Kedah and Penang NCID units. The first arrest involved a 37-year-old man driving a sedan. He was stopped at 5.40pm at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, and police discovered 160 transparent plastic packages containing compressed heroin base weighing 59.2kg. The drugs were hidden in a specially modified compartment behind the rear passenger seat. At 5.55pm the same day, officers intercepted another sedan, this time driven by a 35-year-old woman, at a petrol station along the North–South Expressway near the ICQS complex. An inspection of the vehicle uncovered 155 transparent plastic packages of compressed heroin base weighing 61.26kg, along with 35 packets of MDMA powder weighing 2.37kg concealed in a similar hidden compartment. Speaking at the Kubang Pasu police headquarters yesterday, Mat Zani said the syndicate’s modus operandi involved using modified private vehicles to smuggle drugs into Malaysia from neighbouring countries, before transporting them for processing in Penang and other northern regions. The two suspects, believed to be acting as transporters, were reportedly paid RM20,000 each to deliver the drugs. They have been remanded for seven days from June 16 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – Bernama Two killed in collision involving MPV, motorcycle TAMPIN: Two construction workers were killed in a crash involving a motorcycle and an MPV in Kampung Baru Tampin on Wednesday night. Tampin district police chief Supt Amiruddien Sariman said the incident occurred at about 9pm. The motorcyclist was a 32-year-old local man, riding with his 20-year-old Bangladeshi colleague as the pillion passenger. Initial investigations found that the MPV driver, a 34-year-old man, was travelling from the Tampin Hospital staff quarters towards the town. The pillion rider died at the scene while the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the Tampin Hospital emergency ward while receiving treatment. – Bernama

the remaining judges to deliver a decision. SIS had sought to quash the 2014 fatwa , which labelled the organisation deviant for allegedly subscribing to the ideologies of liberalism and religious pluralism, Bernama reported. The group had previously failed in its legal challenge at both the High Court and Court of Appeal between 2019 and 2023. SIS welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for justice, constitutional rights and Islam’s ethical tradition. In a statement, the organisation said the verdict reaffirmed the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the accountability of all state institutions, including religious bodies.

persons was seen by the group as a critical check on the unchecked issuance of religious edicts. “The court’s recognition that fatwas can and must be subjected to legal scrutiny ensures that no institution is above the law. “All Malaysians, regardless of belief, must have recourse when their rights are infringed.” SIS, which has long advocated justice and equality in Islam, noted that the fatwa had unjustly labelled the group as deviant for more than a decade. “Today’s ruling affirms that our struggle is protected under the fundamental liberties guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. The idea that principles such as justice, compassion, dignity and differences of opinion are foreign to Islam is a distortion of our faith’s rich intellectual and juristic heritage.” Framing the case as a defence of public accountability, the group stressed: “This case is not about Islam, but about public law and public policy that must pass the test of public scrutiny.”

o ‘Verdict seen as victory for justice, reaffirms supremacy of Federal Constitution and accountability of all state institutions’

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has allowed an appeal brought by Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia and its co-founder Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar in their legal challenge against a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee, which declared the organisation deviant from Islamic teachings. A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in a 3–1 majority decision, set aside the fatwa insofar as it applied to companies and institutions. Delivering the majority

artificial legal entities such as companies. “We allow the appellants’ appeal to the extent that it concerns the application of the fatwa to organisations and institutions, and to the extent that the fatwa affects federal agencies and their powers.” Also on the bench were Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan and Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who delivered the sole dissenting opinion.

judgment, Tengku Maimun ruled that the phrase “professing the religion of Islam” in Item 1, List II of the State List under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution refers solely to natural persons, not Cops probe source of explosions, tremors in Ipoh The appeal was initially heard by a five-member panel, but Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil has since retired. The judgment was delivered under Section 78(1) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which allows “This is not just a victory for SIS, but a win for all Malaysians who believe in due process, democratic oversight and the inclusive spirit of Islam.” The court’s clarification that fatwas cannot be imposed on companies as they are not natural

IPOH: Police will hold discussions with several departments and agencies to determine the cause of explosions and tremors reported in parts of Ipoh yesterday. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said an initial investigation had been conducted, which included gathering information from the state Mineral and Geoscience Department and individuals who experienced the tremors. KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 11 premises frequented by foreigners in Jalan Silang were fined RM6,000 for various offences during a raid carried out by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on Wednesday night. Its Kuala Lumpur director Mohd Sabri Seman said the offences included failure to display price tags, use of unverified weighing equipment and trademark violations. During the 9pm operation, officers also seized 125 counterfeit watches worth RM6,500 from a premises selling telecommunications equipment operated by foreigners. “This operation focused on business, retail and restaurant premises, as well as illegal dumping activities involving foreigners, following complaints and intelligence reports indicating that several businesses were operating without displaying price tags,” he said after the raid. Officers from the Immigration Department, who took part in the joint operation, arrested 24 undocumented migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. – Bernama

Ulu Kinta General Operations Force Northern Brigade on the day of the incident. Explosions and tremors were reported around Chemor and Chepor at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

“The department has informed us that the incident was not caused by quarry activities. “However, investigations will continue, especially since a similar explosion occurred last year,” he said at a press conference following the handover-of-duties ceremony for the state deputy police chief. No reports of damage to public or private property have been received. Noor Hisam urged the public to

refrain from speculation, warning that it could disrupt ongoing investigations. He also advised those who experienced the tremors to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation, while giving an assurance that the situation is under control. Meanwhile, Ipoh police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad clarified that no explosion-related training had been carried out at the

On Oct 21 last year, a strong tremor was felt in several areas of Ipoh, including Tasek, Stadium Perak, Meru, Falim, Manjoi, Chemor and Sungai Siput at about 11am. The tremor was followed by a loud bang. – Bernama Raid conducted on businesses in area frequented by foreigners

Officers seized 125 counterfeit watches worth RM6,500 from a premises selling telecommunications equipment operated by foreigners. – BERNAMAPIC