Malaysia's top court declares 16 Islamic laws in Kelantan state unconstitutional

Malaysia's top court on Friday declared 16 Islamic laws enacted by the northeastern state of Kelantan as unconstitutional, saying the subject of the laws were not within the power of the state legislature to enact.

Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims, running alongside civil laws. Islamic laws are enacted by state legislatures while civil laws are passed by Malaysia's parliament.