Fatwa Issuance in Malaysia

This chapter expounds the fatwa issuance procedures as stipulated in the laws of Malaysia, together with a selection of fatwas that have been issued in response to halal-related issues. Fatwa issuance on matters of permitted and prohibited foodstuffs is entrusted in Malaysia to the state religious authorities, namely the state fatwa committee and the national fatwa committee. Fatwa issuance functions in Malaysia are basically a state matter and are regulated, in turn, under the state enactments, which authorize the state mufti and the sultan to issue and ratify fatwas.