The Kedah state legislative assembly yesterday passed an amendment to the Mufti and Fatwa Bill 2012, which bars people from questioning fatwa (edicts) in any civil or syariah courts.

The bill, according to Utusan Malaysia , replaces the Mufti and Fatwa Enactment 2008. Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak said there is an addendum with the inclusion of Section 22A.

“It states that any fatwa which has been decided by the fatwa committee, whether it is gazetted or not, cannot be challenged or reviewed by the civil and syariah courts,” he said when tabling the amendment.

Azizan, in a press conference later, denied that the amendment is related to criticism over the demolition of the Madrasah Salihiah, Kanchut.

“It is not meant to bar anyone from challenging a fatwa but it must be done through proper channels, that is bringing the matter to the Kedah Islamic Council and not to the court,” he said.

Already there is some apprehension over the bill as the MCA has questioned how come it cannot be challenged in court. Bar Council constitutional committee chairperson Syahredzan Johan in his tweet also said, “This is unconstitutional.”