Seksyen 12 - menjadikan satu kesalahan bagi sesiapa yang memberikan, mengembangkan atau menyebarkan apa-apa pendapat tentang ajaran Islam, Hukum Syarak atau apa-apa isu yang bertentangan dengan mana-mana fatwa yang sedang berkuatkuasa di Wilayah Persekutuan.

Seksyen 13 - menjadikan satu kesalahan bagi mana-mana orang yang -

(a) mencetak, menyiarkan, menerbitkan, merakamkan, mengedarkan atau dengan apa-apa cara lain menyebarkan apa-apa buku, risalah, dokumen atau apa-apa bentuk rakaman yang mengandungi apa-apa jua yang bertentangan dengan Hukum Syarak; atau

(b) ada dalam miliknya apa-apa buku, risalah, dokumen atau rakaman sedemikian, …
adalah melakukan suatu kesalahan dan apabila disabitkan boleh didenda tidak melebihi tiga ribu ringgit atau dipenjarakan selama tempoh tidak melebihi dua tahun atau kedua-duanya.

(2) Mahkamah boleh memerintahkan supaya mana-mana buku, risalah, dokumen atau rakaman yang disebut dalam subseksyen (1) dilucuthakkan dan dimusnahkan, walaupun tiada seorang pun telah disabitkan atas kesalahan berkaitan dengan buku, risalah, dokumen atau rakaman itu.

The record of implementation also shows gender discrimination. For example, while there is a fatwa against Muslim women taking part in beauty contests, there is none against men taking part in body-building contests.

The principles in deciding which fatwa to gazette remain unclear. For example, there are fatwas that declare Amanah Saham Nasional and cigarette smoking as haram. But these are not gazetted.

Sections 9, 12, and 13 constitute flagrant violations of constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and also Islamic principles of freedom of expression, differences of opinion and disputation. Moreover, the right to restrict such fundamental liberties also lie solely with Parliament, and not with the state legislature. Therefore it amounts to an unconstitutional trespass on federal powers.

The section appears to be gender-neutral in theory but in implementation, it has discriminated against women. In the cases reported so far, only women have been arrested and charged for indecent dressing under "kelakuan tidak sopan". For example, while the three beauty contestants were found guilty for "indecent dressing", the Muslim men who took part in Mr Malaysia contest by just wearing tight skimpy swimming trunks were not charged for revealing their aurat. There have been many other unreported cases of Muslim women detained for indecent dressing when enforcement officers conduct raids in entertainment places. This is tantamount to a violation of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees that all persons are equal before the law and there can be no discrimination on the basis of gender.

Young Muslim men and women are also a target of prosecution under this provision. Syariah court judgements reveal that actions deemed "kelakuan tidak sopan" include:

• sitting together on a bench with the man having his arm on a woman's back at a shopping complex;
• holding the woman's waist in a shopping complex;
• sitting closely together and holding hands;
• holding hands and embracing each other on the kerb (tembok);
• sitting closely together on the kerb and holding hands;
• sitting on a bench with the woman leaning on the man's shoulder;
• sitting in the dark under a tree in a park;
• sitting on a bench in the dark by a lake.

They were fined from RM700-RM1,000 and sentenced from one month to two months imprisonment. Young women have informed us that they were asked for bribes or their parents have paid bribes to enforcement officers to get them released from detention.
*See Client No 1's story

Abuse occurs because khalwat officials enter houses without permission, based on mere suspicion, and without warrant.

This provision also violates Islamic principles of privacy, dignity and entry into private homes without permission.

SIS also received cases where other occupants of the dwelling were charged with "penyubahatan khalwat" although they are tenants in a house and were not aware there were other occupants in the house.
*See Client No 2's story

Peruntukkan yang membimbangkan dibawah Undang-undang kecil taman contohnya Wilayah Persekutuan (1981) dan Ipoh (1985).

Undang-undang kecil 8(1) - Mana-mana orang yang didapati berkelakuan dengan cara tidak sopan dalam sesuatu taman adalah melakukan sesuatu kesalahan.

Some who were booked claimed they were asked for bribes by enforcement officers.
**See Example No 3

Seksyen 35 - Seseorang perempuan yang mendedahkan mana-mana bahagian tubuhnya yang menimbulkan ghairah di mana-mana tempat awam adalah melakukan suatu kesalahan dan apabila disabitkan boleh didenda tidak melebihi satu ribu ringgit atau penjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi enam bulan atau kedua-duanya.

Seksyen 48 - Seseorang anak dara atau thayyib yang lari daripada jagaan ibu bapanya atau penjaganya yang sah tanpa sebab yang munasabah pada Hukum Syarak adalah melakukan suatu kesalahan dan apabila disabitkan boleh didenda tidak melebihi dua ribu ringgit atau penjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi satu tahun atau kedua-duanya dan Mahkamah boleh membuat apa-apa perintah yang sesuai mengenai anak dara atau thayyib tersebut.

Moreover, it is unwise for the state to use force and to turn what it considers sins into crimes against the state in its desire to make its citizens good Muslims. Religion depends on faith and will. Imposing laws and regulations does not necessarily lead to more piety among the believers, but instead commands compliance based on fear of the state. This is not the right path to taqwa.

Section 48 is vague and discriminatory. A financially independent 50-year-old "anak dara" who decides to live alone against her parents' wishes could be charged. No definition is given on what constitutes reasonable grounds under hukum Syarak