Law
Each state, its own enactment
Islamic family law in Malaysia is a state matter: 13 states + the Federal Territories — 14 Islamic family laws. The four conditions are the same nationwide (s.23; Sarawak s.21); the forms, fees, timelines, penalties and court practice are not.
A comparison of sections & penalties for each state is in Polygyny in Malaysia. The penalty for polygyny without permission: RM1,000 or 6 months in most states (WP s.123; Selangor s.124) — Sarawak RM3,000 or 2 years. Applications for permission are heard in the Syariah High Court (JKSM Practice Direction No. 14/2006).
13 states + the Federal Territories
One country, fourteen laws
Islamic family law is state law. Its shape is the same — section 23 for polygyny (Sarawak: s.21) — but forms, fees and penalties are set by each state.
WP · s.23Federal Territories JAWI1984Islamic family law Act
SGR · s.23Selangor JAIS2003Islamic family law enactment
JHR · s.23Johor JAINJ2003Islamic family law enactment
KDH · s.23Kedah JAIK2008Islamic family law enactment
KTN · s.23Kelantan JAHEAIK2002Islamic family law enactment
MLK · s.23Melaka JAIM2002Islamic family law enactment
NSN · s.23Negeri Sembilan JHEAINS2003Islamic family law enactment s.124: Fine of RM1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both
PHG · s.23Pahang JAIP2005Islamic family law enactment
PRK · s.23Perak JAIPk2004Islamic family law enactment
PLS · s.23Perlis JAIPs2006Islamic family law enactment
PNG · s.23Pulau Pinang JHEAIPP2004Islamic family law enactment
TRG · s.23Terengganu JHEAT2017Islamic family law enactment
SBH · s.23Sabah JHEAINS2004Islamic family law enactment
SWK · s.21Sarawak JAIS2001Islamic family law ordinance s.127: Fine of RM3,000 or imprisonment of 2 years or both
Details verified from official state sourcesEnactment identified — other details «VERIFY» with the state department
Year = year of the current enactment/act/ordinance. Source of details: the respective state religious department.At a glance
Same & different
What is uniform, what varies by state
The same nationwide
- Four conditions of polygyny
- Section 23 for polygyny
- Forms of Islamic family law
Set by each state
- Forms
- Fee
- Period
- Court practice
- Penalties
Details by state
| State | Enactment / Act | Section | Department | Fees & forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Territories | Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 | 23 | JAWI · Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department | |
| Selangor | Islamic Family Law (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003 | 23 | JAIS · Selangor Islamic Religious Department | |
| Johor | Islamic Family Law (State of Johor) Enactment 2003 | 23 | JAINJ · Johor State Islamic Religious Department | |
| Kedah | Islamic Family Law (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008 | 23 | JAIK · Kedah State Department of Islamic Religious Affairs | |
| Kelantan | Islamic Family Law (Kelantan) Enactment 2002 Kelantan's new Islamic family law 2025 (passed by the State Assembly 11 Nov 2025) — commencement date to be verified; sections may change. |
23 | JAHEAIK · Kelantan Department of Islamic Religious Affairs | |
| Melaka | Islamic Family Law (State of Melaka) Enactment 2002 | 23 | JAIM · Melaka Islamic Religious Department | |
| Negeri Sembilan | Islamic Family Law (Negeri Sembilan) Enactment 2003 | 23 | JHEAINS · Negeri Sembilan Department of Islamic Religious Affairs | s.124 Polygyny without permission Fine of RM1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both s.38 False declaration or statement to procure a marriage ✓ verified · JHEAINS Enforcement Division leafletFine of RM2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 years or both |
| Pahang | Islamic Family Law (Pahang) Enactment 2005 | 23 | JAIP · Pahang Islamic Religious Department | |
| Perak | Islamic Family Law (Perak) Enactment 2004 | 23 | JAIPk · Perak Islamic Religious Department | |
| Perlis | Islamic Family Law (Perlis) Enactment 2006 | 23 | JAIPs · Perlis Islamic Religious Department | |
| Pulau Pinang | Islamic Family Law (State of Penang) Enactment 2004 | 23 | JHEAIPP · Penang Department of Islamic Religious Affairs | |
| Terengganu | Islamic Family Law (Terengganu) Enactment 2017 | 23 | JHEAT · Terengganu Department of Religious Affairs | |
| Sabah | Islamic Family Law (Sabah) Enactment 2004 | 23 | JHEAINS · Sabah State Department of Islamic Religious Affairs | |
| Sarawak | Islamic Family Law (Sarawak) Ordinance 2001 | 21 | JAIS · Sarawak Islamic Religious Department | s.127 Polygyny without permission Fine of RM3,000 or imprisonment of 2 years or both |
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