Legal Foundations and Maqasid Vision: Responsibility for Islamic Higher Education in Malaysia

Malaysian federalism divides the authority over education and Islamic affairs between the federal and state governments, creating a complex governance landscape. This division has influenced the establishment and management of Islamic higher education in the country. Therefore, this paper discusses federalism and its influence on Islamic higher education in Malaysia, claiming that the separation of powers, in which the federal government, in charge of education, and the state, in charge of Islam, should be the main stakeholders, has built a grey area of governance as opposed to a legal restriction. Tracing through a doctrinal approach to the constitutional and statutory texts, complemented with a secondary analysis and a narrow case study of the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Islamic University College (SIJIUC), the research indicates that the approach of State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) can legitimately manage the Islamic universities within the framework of MOHE/MQA. A scalable model can be illustrated by comparative examples of Kedah (INSANIAH/UniSHAMS) and Selangor (KISDAR-KUIS-UIS), which highlight state ownership, recurrent grants, waqf/endowments, and the diversification of the programme into professional spheres. The paper, whose argument is framed by the maqasid al-shari’ah, particularly hifz al-din and hifz al-aql, argues that states and SIRCs have a normative responsibility to promote Islamic universities by expanding access, reducing attrition, and circulating talent in line with current needs. The acquisition of SIJIUC in favour of the Johor case, in support of the JS-SEZ and Industry 4.0 goals, is justified by the connection of these goals to moral rehabilitation and technical competence. The rules are rounded out with policy levers to institutionalise excellence: long-term funding, faculty training, research strengths, and an industry-focused curriculum.

Malaysia federalism; Islamic higher education; Sultan Ibrahim Johor Islamic University College (SIJIUC); Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah (hifz al-dīn; hifz al-’aql)

1. Adil, M. A. M., Mansor, W. N. W., & Amin, A. M. (2023). The Right to Freedom of Religion and Jurisdictional Conflicts in Malaysia. Journal of Strategic Studies &Amp; International Affairs, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.17576/sinergi.0301.2023.06 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adnan, A. F. (2023, October 13). Belanjawan 2024: Sumbangan Khas RM700 Hargai Jasa Guru Takmir, KAFA, Imam, Bilal, Siak. Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2023/10/belanjawan-2024-sumbangan-khas-rm700-hargai-jasa-guru-takmir-kafa-imam-bilal-siak/?utm.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Begum, S. (2023). Formation of Federation of Malaysia under the rule of British Empire: An Analysis. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 7(II). https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2023(7-ii)53 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. BERNAMA. (2023a, July 4). Marsah Kini Dikenali Sebagai Kuijsi—Exco. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. https://www.bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2179759 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. BERNAMA. (2023b, September 13). Kerajaan Pusat Serah Peruntukan Lebih RM64 Juta Menerusi JAKIM Kepada Sabah. Astro Awani. Retrieved from https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/kerajaan-pusat-serah-peruntukan-lebih-rm64-juta-menerusi-jakim-kepada-sabah-437220 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. BERNAMA. (2023c, December 13). Sultan Ibrahim Proclaimed Chancellor of Kolej Universiti Islam Johor Sultan Ibrahim. Malay Mail. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/12/13/sultan-ibrahim-proclaimed-chancellor-of-kolej-universiti-islam-johor-sultan-ibrahim/107320 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. BERNAMA. (2024, October 19). Kerajaan Peruntuk RM2 Bilion Dalam Hal Ehwal Islam Tahun Depan. BERNAMA. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. https://www.bernama.com/bm/ekonomi/news_bajet.php?id=2353727 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Cheong, K.-C., Hill, C., & Leong, Y.-C. (2016). Malaysia’s Education Policies and the Law of Unintended Consequences. Journal of International and Comparative Education, 5(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. https://doi.org/10.14425/jice.2016.5.2.73 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Constitution of Malaysia 1957. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 November 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. https://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/const/1957/24.html?utm.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Dewan Negeri Selangor. (2014). Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (KUIS). Retrieved 31 October 2025, from Mesyuarat Ketiga Penggal Kedua Dewan Negeri Selangor Tahun 2014 website: https://dewan.selangor.gov.my/question/kolej-universiti-islam-antarabangsa-selangor-kuis/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Don, M. A. M., & Osman, M. R. (2020). The Management of Waqf Universities in Selangor, Malaysia. Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.24191/jcis.v6i1.3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. DOSM. (2025). School Completion Rates by State. Retrieved 2 November 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. https://open.dosm.gov.my [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Faruqi, S. S. (2025). Legal Pluralism in Malaysia: Navigating the Civil and Shariah Systems. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. INCEIF. (2024, October 18). A Boost for INCEIF from Budget 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025, from INCEIF University website: https://inceif.edu.my/a-boost-for-inceif-from-budget-2025/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Ismail, M. B. (2023, October). Pentadbiran Undang-Undang Syariah Dan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Johor. Presented at the Seminar Undang-Undang Syariah Johor 2023, Kluang Johor. Kluang Johor. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/689270185/Seminar-Undang-undang-Syariah-Johor-2023 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. JAKIM. (2023, October 13). Kenyataan Media Ketua Pengarah Jabatan kemajuan islam Malaysia Berkenaan Belanjawan 2024 Malaysia Madani – Komitmen Berterusan Kerajaan Perpaduan Dalam Memartabatkan Syiar Islam. Retrieved 1 November 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. https://www.islam.gov.my/ms/kenyataan-media/3919-kenyataan-media-ketua-pengarah-jakim-berkenaan-belanjawan-2024-malaysia-madani-komitmen-berterusan-kerajaan-perpaduan-dalam-memartabatkan-syiar-islam [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia. (2023, October 13). Belanjawan 2024: Kerajaan peruntuk RM1.9 bilion Pembangunan Hal Ehwal Islam. Retrieved 1 November 2025, from Kementerian Kewangan website: https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/ms/berita/akhbar/belanjawan-2024-kerajaan-peruntuk-rm1-9-bilion-pembangunan-hal-ehwal-islam?utm.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Korporat UniSHAMS. (2025). Pengenalan: Kami Mempunyai Sejarah yang Panjang dan Berjaya. Retrieved 29 October 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. https://unishams.edu.my/index.php/ms/component/content/article/726-korporat [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. KUIJSI. (2020, April 6). Sejarah Penubuhan KUIJSI. Retrieved 31 October 2025, from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. https://kuijsi.edu.my/sejarah-penubuhan/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Leong, D. C. P. (2022). Outcome-Based Education in Open Distance Learning: A Study on Its Implementation Amidst the Pandemic. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7(9). https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i9.1747 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. MAIS. (2020, October 7). MAIS Sumbang Dana Rangsangan Pendidikan Rm1 Juta Kepada KUIS. Retrieved 31 October 2025, from https://www.mais.gov.my/berita-mais/mais-sumbang-dana/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Johor. Enakmen Pengawalan Sekolah-sekolah Agama Islam 1991. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Johor. Enakmen Pentadbiran Agama Islam (Negeri Johor) 2003. , [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Enakmen No.16 Tahun 2003 §. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Malaysia Kini. (2023, October 13). RM1.9b allocated to Islamic affairs. Retrieved from https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/682713?utm.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Ministry of Finance. (2024, October 20). Full Budget 2025 Speech. The Edge Malaysia. Retrieved from https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/730839?utm.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Mosaku, M. O., & Ghafar, M. N. A. (2017). Conceptualization of Educational Persistence within Malaysian Higher Institution. International Journal of Information Systems and Social Change, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/ijissc.2017010103 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Nor, M. R. M., Abdullah, A. T., & Ali, A. K. (2016). From Undang-undang Melaka to Federal Constitution: The Dynamics of Multicultural Malaysia. SpringerPlus, 5(1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3360-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Roslan, N. B., Jamil, J. M., Shaharanee, I. N. M., & Alawi, S. J. S. (2024). Prediction of Student Dropout in Malaysian’s Private Higher Education Institute using Data Mining Application. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 45(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.45.2.168176 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Seng, L. H. (n.d.). Religion & the Federal System – A Comment. Retrieved 29 October 2025, from NECF Malaysia website: [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. https://www.necf.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=154&action=view&retrieveid=903 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Sinniah, S., Mamun, A. A., Salleh, M. F. M., Makhbul, Z. K. M., & Hayat, N. (2022). Modeling the Significance of Motivation on Job Satisfaction and Performance Among the Academicians: The Use of Hybrid Structural Equation Modeling-Artificial Neural Network Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.935822 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. UIS. (2025). Mengenai Kami. Retrieved 30 October 2025, from https://fsu.uis.edu.my/info-fakulti/mengenai-kami [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Usman, M., & Rahman, A. A. (2022). Funding Higher Education Through Waqf: A Lesson From Malaysia. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-12-2021-0217 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Zulkefli, M. I. I., Endut, M. N. A.-A., & Abdullah, M. R. T. L. (2024). Exploring Factors Affecting the Sustainability of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia: An Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) Approach. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 19(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.190227 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study