The significance of Central Bank of Malaysia Act to Islamic banking

Malaysia is considered as the cranium of Islamic banking. The purpose of this paper is to find out the significance of Central Bank of Malaysia Act (CBMA) to Islamic banking by analysing the relevant provisions of CBMA and the reported case law in Malaysia in this regard. This is a legal research where the provisions of this Act relevant to Islamic banking is reviewed and assessed in the light of reported case law. It is found that there is a need for the legislature to come up with the specific directions or practice notes in which Shariah issues of the case could be differentiated from factual issues/legal issues. It is hoped that the outcome of this paper will assist those jurisdictions aspiring to have a sophisticated legal framework for Islamic banking to comprehend the significance of having statutory provisions to establish the apex Shariah Advisory Council at the Central Bank level.