The Protection of the Rights of the Accused in Syariah Criminal Cases in Malaysia: A Comparative Analysis
Abstract
The rights of the accused represent a significant principle in criminal cases. Violations of these rights frequently spark debate and concern. The objective of this study is to analyse the rights of the accused in Syariah criminal cases in Malaysia and compare them with the common law legal system and the Islamic perspective. This study further seeks to identify weaknesses and challenges in the implementation of the rights of the accused within Syariah criminal proceedings in Malaysia, while proposing improvements to ensure more comprehensive and equitable protection. A qualitative approach was employed, with data obtained from primary sources such as legal statutes and reported cases, as well as secondary sources including books and journal articles. The collected data were then analysed through comparative and descriptive analysis methods. The findings of the study indicate that both Islamic law and civil law frameworks provide appropriate protection for the rights of the accused. However, several legal gaps and weaknesses were identified in the current protection mechanisms under Syariah criminal law. Based on these findings, this article suggests that the legal provisions in the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment be improved to ensure that the rights of the accused are more comprehensively protected, thus strengthening the administration of Syariah criminal justice in Malaysia.
Keywords: Crime, rights of the accused, Syariah law, Common Law, Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment, Criminal Procedure Code
References
1. Abdul Kahar Ahmad & others lwn Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor & others [2022] 10 CLJ 47.
2. Abdul Karim Zaidan. (1989). Nizam al-Qada fi al-Shariah al-Islamiah. Muassasah Al-Risalah.
3. Abu al-Walid al-Baji. (1999). Al-muntaqa syarh al-muwatta Imam Malik.
4. Dar al-Kutub ‘Ilmiyyah.
5. Abu Daud (1993). Sunan Abi Daud. Matba’ah Al-Tazi.
6. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. (1999). Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Dar al-Hikmah.
7. Ahmad Shapiai lwn Hani Itam Ali Husin & Others [2005] 1 CLJ (Sya) 381.
8. Akta Mahkamah Kehakiman 1964 (Akta 91). (1964). Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad. https://fliphtml5.com/tcrqj/jqpp/Akta_Mahkamah_Kehakiman_1964_%28Akta_91%29/
9. Alagan Srimurugan. (2006). Right of an accused person to consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner revisited. 3 CLJ xlv.
10. Al-Bukhari, A. A. M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari ma’ hashiyat al-sindi. Maktabah Al-‘Asriyyah.
11. Al-Ghazali. (1997). Al-mustasfa min ‘ilm al-usul. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
12. Al-Hariri. (1998). Al-madkhal ila al-qawa’id al-fiqhiyyah al-kulliyah.
Dar ‘Ammar.
13. Al-Kasani. (1998). Bada’i’ al-sana’i’. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
14. Al-Nadwi. (1998). Al-qawaid al-fiqhiyyah. Dar al-Qalam.
15. Al-Nawawi. (2002). Al-majmu’ sharh al-muhadhdhab. Dar al-Fikr.
16. Baljit Singh Sidhu. (2016). Criminal litigation process. Sweet & Maxwell Asia.
17. Dorosamy a/l Chinnia @ Ali bin Abdullah lwn Pendakwa Raya [2020] MLJU 2257.
18. Enakmen Tatacara Jenayah Syariah (Negeri Selangor) 2003. (2003). https://www.mais.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ENAKMEN-TATACARA-JENAYAH-SYARIAH-NEGERI-SELANGOR-2003.pdf
19. Hamid Sultan Abu Backer. (2010). Janab’s key to criminal procedure and evidence. Janab (M) Sdn. Bhd.
20. Ibn Hazm. (1983). Al-ihkam fi usul al-ahkam. Dar Al-Ifaq Al-Jadidah.
21. Ibn Qayyim. (1993). `Ilam al-muwaqi’in. Dar al-Hadis.
22. Ibn Qudamah. (1997). Al-mughni. Dar al-Fikr.
23. Inspector Yusof Hj Othman & Others lwn Kwan Hung Cheong [2011] 8 CLJ 1.
24. Kamariah Ali lwn Ketua Pendakwa Syarie Terengganu [2010] SHRU 20, [2010] 3 LNS 20.
25. Kamus Dewan Edisi Keempat. (2016). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
26. Kanun Tatacara Jenayah (Akta 593). (2021). https://www.sprm.gov.my/admin/files/sprm/assets/pdf/penguatkuasaan/Akta_593_%281.10.2021%29_BM.pdf
27. Kassim @ Osman Ahmad V. Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam & Ors [2015]
1 LNS 1424
28. Martin, R. (1997). The concept of rights: A system of rights. Oxford
University Press.
29. Mat lwn Pendakwa Raya [1963] CLJU 82; [1963] 1 MLJ 263.
30. Moh Ting King lwn Pendakwa Raya [1995] 3 MLJ 461.
31. Mohd Hilmi Saadan, & Ramizah Wan Muhammad. (2017). Justifiability of
32. remand detention provision in Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment (2003): A case of Selangor. Legal Network Series, A (xli), 1–31.
33. Mohd Jalil bin Abdullah & Anor lwn Pendakwa Raya [1996] 5 MLJ 564.
34. Mohd Munzil Muhamad. (2020). Presumption of innocence: Should it apply during the appeal process? Malayan Law Journal, 5 MLJ xxv.
35. Muhammad Afifi Abdul Hamid. (2019). Hak-hak keistimewaan kaum Melayu di Malaysia: Analisis berdasarkan perspektif Islam. Prosiding Kolokium Penyelidikan Siswazah Kebangsaan 2019. Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka.
36. Muhammad Mustafa al-Zuhaili. (2009). Al-Qawaid al-fiqhiyyah wa tatbiqatuha fi al-mazahib al-‘arbaah. Dar-Fikr.
37. Ooi Ah Phua lwn Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigation, Kedah/Perlis [1975] 2 MLJ 198.
38. Pendakwa Raya lwn Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim [1998] 4 MLJ 481
39. Pendakwa Raya lwn Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim [1999] 1 MLJ 321.
40. Pendakwa Raya lwn Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman [2008] 4 CLJ 1.
41. Pendakwa Raya lwn Mah Chuen Lim & Ors [1975] 1 MLJ 95.
42. Pendakwa Raya lwn Mah Chuen Lim & Ors [1975] 1 MLJ 95.
43. Pendakwa Raya lwn Yagambaram Chettiar Kaparoom & Yang Lain [2024] CLJU 2586.
44. Polis Diraja Malaysia lwn Audrey Keong Mei Cheng [1994] 3 CLJ 362 (HC).
45. Quek Qin Long & Yang Lain lwn Pendakwa Raya [2024] 10 CLJ 625.
46. R lwn Rose [1895–1899] All ER 350.
47. Sook Shiok Liong lwn Pendakwa Raya [1993] 2 MLJ 38.
48. Suhaizad Saifuddin, & Bernard Noel Beneldus. (2025). Perbuatan menggoda pasangan yang berkahwin: pertimbangan undang-undang dan moral selepas pemansuhan Seksyen 498 kanun keseksaan. Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 37(1), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.37052/kanun.37(1)no6
49. Suhaizad Saifuddin, Ahmad Azam Mohd Shariff, Muhamad Helmi Md Said, Ramalinggam Rajamanickam, & Tg. Noor Azira Tg. Zainudin. (2020). Pemakaian beban dan darjah pembuktian dalam kes jenayah syariah di Malaysia: Satu analisis. Akademika, 90(1), 87–98. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2020-9001-08
50. Suhaizad Saifuddin, Hanifah Haydar Ali Tajuddin, Mohamad Azhan Yahya, Mohamad Rizal Abd Rahman, & Fatimah Yusro Hashim. (2024). Examining the application of standard of proof in criminal cases: A comparative analysis of Islamic law and common law in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 12(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no1.491
51. Suhaizad Saifuddin. (2025). Pemakaian Akta Perintah Kehadiran Wajib 1954 [Akta 461] bagi pesalah jenayah syariah. Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 37(1), 165–176.
52. Tafsir pimpinan al-Quran kepada pengertian al-Quran (Edisi ke-22). (2013). Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia.
53. Tengku Maimun Tengku Mat. (2024). Hakim bebas buat keputusan berdasarkan fakta, undang-undang – Ketua Hakim Negara. Astro Awani. https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/hakim-bebas-buat-keputusan-berdasarkan-fakta-undangundang-ketua-hakim-negara-454124
54. Vigny Alfred Raj Vicetor Amratha Raja lwn Pendakwa Raya [2022] 8 CLJ 1.
55. Woolmington lwn Pendakwa Raya [1935] AC 462.
56. Zulkafar Remlee Saad. (2015). Pembuktian dalam kes jenayah syariah Malaysia: Isu dan penyelesaian. Jurnal Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 27(1), 123.
2. Abdul Karim Zaidan. (1989). Nizam al-Qada fi al-Shariah al-Islamiah. Muassasah Al-Risalah.
3. Abu al-Walid al-Baji. (1999). Al-muntaqa syarh al-muwatta Imam Malik.
4. Dar al-Kutub ‘Ilmiyyah.
5. Abu Daud (1993). Sunan Abi Daud. Matba’ah Al-Tazi.
6. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. (1999). Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Dar al-Hikmah.
7. Ahmad Shapiai lwn Hani Itam Ali Husin & Others [2005] 1 CLJ (Sya) 381.
8. Akta Mahkamah Kehakiman 1964 (Akta 91). (1964). Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad. https://fliphtml5.com/tcrqj/jqpp/Akta_Mahkamah_Kehakiman_1964_%28Akta_91%29/
9. Alagan Srimurugan. (2006). Right of an accused person to consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner revisited. 3 CLJ xlv.
10. Al-Bukhari, A. A. M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari ma’ hashiyat al-sindi. Maktabah Al-‘Asriyyah.
11. Al-Ghazali. (1997). Al-mustasfa min ‘ilm al-usul. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
12. Al-Hariri. (1998). Al-madkhal ila al-qawa’id al-fiqhiyyah al-kulliyah.
Dar ‘Ammar.
13. Al-Kasani. (1998). Bada’i’ al-sana’i’. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
14. Al-Nadwi. (1998). Al-qawaid al-fiqhiyyah. Dar al-Qalam.
15. Al-Nawawi. (2002). Al-majmu’ sharh al-muhadhdhab. Dar al-Fikr.
16. Baljit Singh Sidhu. (2016). Criminal litigation process. Sweet & Maxwell Asia.
17. Dorosamy a/l Chinnia @ Ali bin Abdullah lwn Pendakwa Raya [2020] MLJU 2257.
18. Enakmen Tatacara Jenayah Syariah (Negeri Selangor) 2003. (2003). https://www.mais.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ENAKMEN-TATACARA-JENAYAH-SYARIAH-NEGERI-SELANGOR-2003.pdf
19. Hamid Sultan Abu Backer. (2010). Janab’s key to criminal procedure and evidence. Janab (M) Sdn. Bhd.
20. Ibn Hazm. (1983). Al-ihkam fi usul al-ahkam. Dar Al-Ifaq Al-Jadidah.
21. Ibn Qayyim. (1993). `Ilam al-muwaqi’in. Dar al-Hadis.
22. Ibn Qudamah. (1997). Al-mughni. Dar al-Fikr.
23. Inspector Yusof Hj Othman & Others lwn Kwan Hung Cheong [2011] 8 CLJ 1.
24. Kamariah Ali lwn Ketua Pendakwa Syarie Terengganu [2010] SHRU 20, [2010] 3 LNS 20.
25. Kamus Dewan Edisi Keempat. (2016). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
26. Kanun Tatacara Jenayah (Akta 593). (2021). https://www.sprm.gov.my/admin/files/sprm/assets/pdf/penguatkuasaan/Akta_593_%281.10.2021%29_BM.pdf
27. Kassim @ Osman Ahmad V. Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam & Ors [2015]
1 LNS 1424
28. Martin, R. (1997). The concept of rights: A system of rights. Oxford
University Press.
29. Mat lwn Pendakwa Raya [1963] CLJU 82; [1963] 1 MLJ 263.
30. Moh Ting King lwn Pendakwa Raya [1995] 3 MLJ 461.
31. Mohd Hilmi Saadan, & Ramizah Wan Muhammad. (2017). Justifiability of
32. remand detention provision in Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment (2003): A case of Selangor. Legal Network Series, A (xli), 1–31.
33. Mohd Jalil bin Abdullah & Anor lwn Pendakwa Raya [1996] 5 MLJ 564.
34. Mohd Munzil Muhamad. (2020). Presumption of innocence: Should it apply during the appeal process? Malayan Law Journal, 5 MLJ xxv.
35. Muhammad Afifi Abdul Hamid. (2019). Hak-hak keistimewaan kaum Melayu di Malaysia: Analisis berdasarkan perspektif Islam. Prosiding Kolokium Penyelidikan Siswazah Kebangsaan 2019. Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka.
36. Muhammad Mustafa al-Zuhaili. (2009). Al-Qawaid al-fiqhiyyah wa tatbiqatuha fi al-mazahib al-‘arbaah. Dar-Fikr.
37. Ooi Ah Phua lwn Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigation, Kedah/Perlis [1975] 2 MLJ 198.
38. Pendakwa Raya lwn Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim [1998] 4 MLJ 481
39. Pendakwa Raya lwn Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim [1999] 1 MLJ 321.
40. Pendakwa Raya lwn Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman [2008] 4 CLJ 1.
41. Pendakwa Raya lwn Mah Chuen Lim & Ors [1975] 1 MLJ 95.
42. Pendakwa Raya lwn Mah Chuen Lim & Ors [1975] 1 MLJ 95.
43. Pendakwa Raya lwn Yagambaram Chettiar Kaparoom & Yang Lain [2024] CLJU 2586.
44. Polis Diraja Malaysia lwn Audrey Keong Mei Cheng [1994] 3 CLJ 362 (HC).
45. Quek Qin Long & Yang Lain lwn Pendakwa Raya [2024] 10 CLJ 625.
46. R lwn Rose [1895–1899] All ER 350.
47. Sook Shiok Liong lwn Pendakwa Raya [1993] 2 MLJ 38.
48. Suhaizad Saifuddin, & Bernard Noel Beneldus. (2025). Perbuatan menggoda pasangan yang berkahwin: pertimbangan undang-undang dan moral selepas pemansuhan Seksyen 498 kanun keseksaan. Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 37(1), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.37052/kanun.37(1)no6
49. Suhaizad Saifuddin, Ahmad Azam Mohd Shariff, Muhamad Helmi Md Said, Ramalinggam Rajamanickam, & Tg. Noor Azira Tg. Zainudin. (2020). Pemakaian beban dan darjah pembuktian dalam kes jenayah syariah di Malaysia: Satu analisis. Akademika, 90(1), 87–98. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2020-9001-08
50. Suhaizad Saifuddin, Hanifah Haydar Ali Tajuddin, Mohamad Azhan Yahya, Mohamad Rizal Abd Rahman, & Fatimah Yusro Hashim. (2024). Examining the application of standard of proof in criminal cases: A comparative analysis of Islamic law and common law in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 12(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no1.491
51. Suhaizad Saifuddin. (2025). Pemakaian Akta Perintah Kehadiran Wajib 1954 [Akta 461] bagi pesalah jenayah syariah. Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 37(1), 165–176.
52. Tafsir pimpinan al-Quran kepada pengertian al-Quran (Edisi ke-22). (2013). Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia.
53. Tengku Maimun Tengku Mat. (2024). Hakim bebas buat keputusan berdasarkan fakta, undang-undang – Ketua Hakim Negara. Astro Awani. https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/hakim-bebas-buat-keputusan-berdasarkan-fakta-undangundang-ketua-hakim-negara-454124
54. Vigny Alfred Raj Vicetor Amratha Raja lwn Pendakwa Raya [2022] 8 CLJ 1.
55. Woolmington lwn Pendakwa Raya [1935] AC 462.
56. Zulkafar Remlee Saad. (2015). Pembuktian dalam kes jenayah syariah Malaysia: Isu dan penyelesaian. Jurnal Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 27(1), 123.
Published
2025-07-31
How to Cite
SAIFUDDIN, Suhaizad; MOHAMADI, Intan Shafinaz.
The Protection of the Rights of the Accused in Syariah Criminal Cases in Malaysia: A Comparative Analysis.
Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, [S.l.], v. 37, n. 2, p. 311–340, july 2025.
ISSN 2682-8057.
Available at: <http://jurnal.dbp.my/index.php/Kanun/article/view/9080>. Date accessed: 02 aug. 2025.
Section
Articles
