“In my opinion, these two decisions have touched on the rights of Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Thus, we may need to amend the constitution to ensure shariah laws are strengthened in our legal system,” he added.

Zahid was referring to the decisions on the right of non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” and on the Selangor state government being denied the right to enact any shariah criminal law that is already a federal statute.

Last month, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Nor Bee Ariffin allowed a judicial review by a Sarawakian Christian declaring that a Dec 5, 1986 home affairs ministry directive prohibiting the use of certain words by non-Muslims, including Allah, was illegal and unconstitutional.

The other case decided earlier this month involved a nine-member bench at the Federal Court led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, which granted a declaration sought by a 35-year-old man that Section 28 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995 was invalid.

The man sought this ruling after being charged in 2019 with attempting to commit sexual intercourse against the order of nature with certain other male persons at a house in Selangor.

“These decisions have far-reaching implications and need to be corrected,” Zahid said in his policy address at the party’s 75th annual general assembly today.

He added that he was more concerned about the decision by the Federal Court that nullified the Selangor state legislative assembly’s passing of the shariah law against unnatural sex as it involved a policy decision.

“This could result in the cancelling of more shariah laws in all states. The ruling by the Federal Court could thus weaken the shariah legal system in the country,” he said.

Zahid added that it was therefore imperative that the Federal Constitution be amended to ensure that shariah laws are protected.