GISBH, CEO gagal batal fatwa Kedah

Mahkamah Tinggi Alor Setar has dismissed a petition by GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd and its CEO Nasiruddin Ali seeking to challenge a fatwa issued last year by the Kedah State Fatwa Committee. The fatwa declared GISBH as an organization promoting heretical teachings and stated that anyone practicing it would be violating the state's sharia law.

The appeal was rejected after the Civil Court judge, Evawani Farisyta Mohammad, ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. The petition aimed to question the content of the fatwa and request its reversal, contrary to the argument that they were merely reviewing the decision-making process. Evawani noted that civil courts are prohibited from hearing matters outside the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court, and the fatwa also involved the prerogative power of the Sultan, requiring the permission of the Paramount Ruler before it could be overturned by a state fatwa committee.

The Supreme Court in Kuala Lumpur and Kangar also rejected GISBH and Nasiruddin's appeals against the same fatwa on similar grounds. GISBH and Nasiruddin subsequently filed appeals against three related rulings.