SIS FORUM (MALAYSIA) & ANOR v. JAWATANKUASA FATWA NEGERI SELANGOR & ORS
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
TENGKU MAIMUN TUAN MAT CJ 
ABANG ISKANDAR PCA 
NALLINI PATHMANATHAN FCJ 
ABU BAKAR JAIS FCJ 
AB KARIM AB JALIL FCJ
[CIVIL APPEAL NO: 01(F)-23-09-2023(W)]
19 JUNE 2025
[2025] CLJ JT (7)

Abstract – (i) A corporation cannot 'profess the religion of Islam' because it is not a natural person. Professing a religion requires personal faith, spiritual acceptance, and the ability to perform acts of worship, which only individuals can do. Therefore, Islamic laws and fatwas derived from Item 1 of the State List of the Ninth Schedule to the Federal Constitution do not apply to corporations as 'persons professing the religion of Islam,' even if the corporation performs religious duties on behalf of its members; (ii) The powers of the State Legislative Assembly and subordinate legislation like fatwas are limited by Item 1. Any fatwa must be confined to persons professing Islam and its subject matter must be within the scope of Item 1. Provisions in a fatwa that direct Federal authorities or deal with matters beyond the scope of Item 1 are invalid due to exceeding jurisdiction.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Judicial review – Exercise of power – Challenge against fatwa – 'Fatwa Pemikiran Liberalisme dan Pluralisme Agama' issued by Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Selangor – Whether fatwa applicable to corporation – Whether corporation could profess religion of Islam – Whether fatwa could purport to direct Federal authorities to take action or suggest that books could be confiscated or that social media restricts references – Whether fatwa valid – Whether made in excess of jurisdiction – Whether fatwa purported to touch on matters which authorities had no power over

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Federal Constitution – Item 1 of State List of Ninth Schedule to Federal Constitution – Fatwa – 'Fatwa Pemikiran Liberalisme dan Pluralisme Agama' issued by Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Selangor – Whether fatwa applicable to corporation – Whether corporation could profess religion of Islam – Whether encompassed within Selangor's State Legislative Assembly's power to make laws under Item 1, State List of Ninth Schedule to Federal Constitution – Whether fatwa could purport to direct Federal authorities to take action or suggest that books could be confiscated or that social media restricts references – Whether fatwa purported to touch on matters which authorities had no power over

WORDS & PHRASES: 'professing' – Item 1 of State List of Ninth Schedule to Federal Constitution – 'Fatwa Pemikiran Liberalisme dan Pluralisme Agama' issued by Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Selangor – Whether fatwa applicable to corporation – Whether corporation 'professing the religion of Islam' – Whether corporation natural persons