The Court of Appeal’s ruling that a religious enactment against cross-dressing is unconstitutional throws "doubt" on Islam's position and its sovereignity, says PAS.

Its ulama wing information chief Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said that the decision also puts to question to position of the syariah law as provided by the federal constitution.

"The big implication of the decision is that it will become a reference case in the future which will threaten syariah law.

"It will open up the space for many people to come forward and challenge the legality of syariah law,” he said in a statement.

He also said that those who practice lifestyles "opposite" to Islam will "celebrate" and claim to be "protected by the federal constitution".

"The judgment raises question on how far Islam’s position in this country is protected and its sovereignty even though the federal constitution stresses that Islam is the region of the federation,” he said.

Mohd Khairuddin ( left ) said that Islam’s position within the constitution cannot be interpreted through the lens of "colonialists" who had seen the religion “as a religious practice” alone.

Instead, he said, Islam must be seen as a "way of life" and all Islamic laws must be the "highest reference in the country".

He said that the government and relevant religious authorities must immediately take action according to legal means to solve this problem.

He went on to urge lawyers who are Islam to use their legal expertise to help in this matter, labelling it as a "jihad" to do so.

On Friday, the Appellate Court allowed the appeal by transgenders Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis; 26, Syukor Jani; 28, and Wan Fairol Wan Ismail; 30 to declare Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Syariah enactment to be unconstitutional.

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