Kangar: The Perlis State Legislative Assembly today passed the Muslim Adoption Enactment (Perlis) Bill 2025 without debate. This legislative move marks a significant step in formalizing adoption procedures within the Muslim community in Perlis.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli elaborated on the enactment, highlighting its empowerment of the Syariah High Court in Perlis. The court can now issue adoption orders after evaluating crucial factors such as parental and child consent, the age and relationship of the applicant to the child, and the child’s overall welfare. The enactment also defines the procedures and conditions necessary for adoption, ensuring the protection of the child’s rights and welfare.

Mohd Shukri emphasized that the Bill represents a historic milestone for Perlis, making it the first state in Peninsular Malaysia to establish a legal framework for adoption that incorporates Maqasid Syariah principles. This framework aims to protect lineage purity, maintain lawful relationships, and ensure the child’s rights and welfare are safeguarded in accordance with religious and legal standards.

In a press conference following the assembly sitting, Mohd Shukri explained that the enactment provides the Syariah High Court with clear legal authority to adjudicate Muslim adoption applications, a process previously confined to civil jurisdiction without specific Syariah legislation. The enactment addresses adoption issues in the Muslim community by resolving lineage matters through milk kinship, ensuring property rights and child support, protecting the child through court-appointed guardians, and establishing a lawful registration process.

Additionally, the Perlis state assembly passed the State Expenditure Enactment Bill for 2026 (Perlis Budget 2026) during the same session. The assembly was adjourned to a date yet to be announced.