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Author	Mr Nor Faiz Bin Ahmad Helimi
Organisation/Institution	International Islamic University of Malaysia, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL)
Country	MALAYSIA
Panel	Law and Society
Title	Bridging the Regulatory Gap in Television Broadcasting Through Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah: A Legal Study in Light of the Case Sistem Televisyen Malaysia v Nurullah Zawawi and the Role of Malaysia’s Censorshi
Abstract	Television broadcasting in Malaysia operates within a dual legal framework shaped by both civil and Islamic law, yet current regulatory mechanisms fall short in safeguarding core Islamic values, particularly those enshrined in Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). Despite the presence of regulatory authorities such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF), ethical lapses persist especially in content relating to Syariah matters. This paper examines the doctrinal and regulatory gaps in Malaysia’s broadcasting law, highlighting the case of Sistem Televisyen Malaysia v Nurullah Zawawi, where the broadcast of inaccurate information regarding a Syariah-compliant marriage resulted in reputational damage. The case underscores the failure of existing frameworks to adequately protect key Islamic principles such as ʿird (honour), nasl (lineage), and ʿaql(intellect), despite the LPF’s mandate to uphold public morality. This study argues that integrating Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah into Malaysia’s broadcasting regulatory system is essential to address these ethical and doctrinal deficiencies. A doctrinal analysis reveals that while current laws may focus on visual or linguistic obscenity, they often neglect the moral and reputational dimensions central to Islamic legal thought. To bridge this gap, the paper proposes legal and policy reforms, including statutory amendments, a revision of the Content Code, and the creation of a Maqāṣid Review Panel within existing regulatory bodies. These reforms aim to ensure that content regulation is not only legally sound but also morally and spiritually aligned with Malaysia’s Islamic ethos. In doing so, the paper contributes to a more ethically coherent broadcasting environment that respects both constitutional pluralism and Islamic values.
Biography	I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, which have provided me with a solid foundation in both business strategy and media dynamics. These qualifications, combined with my practical exposure to the broadcasting industry, have shaped my academic interest in media regulation and ethical governance. Currently, I am a shareholder of KL Television Network Sdn. Bhd., a private broadcasting company in Malaysia. My involvement in the industry has deepened my understanding of the regulatory challenges broadcasters face in a pluralistic, Muslim-majority society, particularly in navigating legal and religious sensitivities in televised content. Presently, I am pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.), with a research focus on Islamic legal theory and media law. My specific area of interest is the integration of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (the higher objectives of Islamic law) into Malaysia’s television broadcasting regulatory framework. My research explores the doctrinal and ethical limitations within current censorship mechanisms overseen by the Film Censorship Board (LPF) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Using cases such as Sistem Televisyen Malaysia v Nurullah Zawawi, I examine how current policies often fail to protect core Islamic values such as honour (ʿird), lineage (nasl), and intellect (ʿaql). My goal is to propose legal reforms that embed Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah principles into broadcasting law, ensuring a more ethically grounded and coherent content regulation system that upholds both constitutional pluralism and Islamic moral standards in Malaysia’s diverse media landscape.