Syariah Courts have jurisdiction only over Muslims in matters relating to family law and religious observance, and can generally only pass sentences of not more than three years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM5,000, and/or up to six strokes of the cane.
[1] Article 145 of the Malaysian constitution says the Attorney General of Malaysia has no power over matters related to the Syariah Courts.
[2] Unlike Malaysian civil courts, which are federal in scope, Syariah Courts are primarily established by individual state law.
Similarly, Islamic law is a matter limited to each state, with the exception of the Federal Territories of Malaysia, as provided in Article 3 of the constitution.
There are 13 state sharia law departments and one for the Federal Territories.