The Kedah State Constitution (Amendment 2024) Bill 2024, which also includes the establishment of the shariah premier court, was tabled by menteri besar Sanusi Nor and unanimously approved by all assemblymen.

When tabling the bill, Sanusi said the amendment was in line with the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah’s decree to empower the shariah court and place it under the state constitution.

“Sultan Sallehuddin also urged the government to review the shariah court structure, such as its hierarchical system, to ensure greater justice for the parties involved.

“In keeping with the sultan’s decree and to improve the shariah court’s position, the state government is of the view that it should be placed under the Kedah constitution, making it a key institution in accordance with Islam’s status in the state,” he said.

Sanusi pointed out that the current structure of the shariah court in Kedah comprises three levels, namely the shariah appeals court, shariah high court, and shariah lower court.

To ensure justice, he said an additional layer should be introduced into the shariah court structure in Kedah, namely the shariah premier court.

Under this new structure, Sanusi said cases heard in the shariah high court can be reviewed by the shariah court of appeal and, if necessary, referred to the shariah premier court.