FATWA, KEBEBASAN ASASI DAN BIDANG KUASA MAHKAMAH: ANALISIS KES SIS FORUM

FATWA, FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES AND JUDICIAL JURISDICTION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SIS FORUM CASE

الملخص

This study analyzes the relationship between fatwas, fundamental liberties, and judicial jurisdiction within the Malaysian legal system through the case of Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia. Fatwas function as legal instruments for the preservation of Islamic creed (aqidah); however, their implementation often faces challenges when certain parties invoke the provisions of fundamental liberties guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the Federal Court’s decision in the SIS case and its impact on the position of fatwas within the framework of human rights, particularly in relation to freedom of expression, association, and religion. This study employs a qualitative research design through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with civil lawyers. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the court’s interpretation of fundamental liberties has limited the applicability of fatwas to individual Muslims only and rendered them inapplicable to organizational entities. This decision has significant implications for the authority of fatwa institutions, which play a crucial role in the preservation of Islamic creed. The study suggests the need for harmonization between the principles of fundamental liberties and the requirement to safeguard religion, so that fatwas may function more effectively without conflicting with the framework of the Federal Constitution.

Abstrak

Kajian ini menganalisis hubungan antara fatwa, kebebasan asasi dan bidang kuasa mahkamah dalam sistem perundangan Malaysia melalui kes Sister in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia. Fatwa adalah instrumen perundangan bagi pemuliharaan akidah umat Islam, namun perlaksanaan fatwa sering berhadapan cabaran apabila terdapat pihak yang cuba menggunakan peruntukkan kebebasan asasi yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Oleh itu, objektif kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan terhadap kes SIS yang mempengaruhi kedudukan fatwa dalam kerangka hak asasi manusia, khususnya dalam kebebasan bersuara, berorganisasi dan beragama. Kajian ini dijalankan menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif melalui analisis dokumen, temu bual separa berstruktur bersama peguam sivil. Data yang diperolehi dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis tematik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa tafsiran mahkamah terhadap kebebasan asasi telah mengehadkan pemakaian fatwa kepada individu Muslim sahaja dan tidak terpakai kepada entiti pertubuhan. Keputusan ini menimbulkan implikasi besar kepada autoriti institusi fatwa yang berperanan besar dalam pemuliharaan akidah umat Islam. Kajian ini mencadangkan perlunya penyelarasan antara prinsip kebebasan asasi dan keperluan pemeliharaan agama agar fatwa dapat berfungsi secara lebih berkesan tanpa bercanggah dengan kerangka Perlembagaan Persekutuan.