THE APPLICATION OF SYARIAH LAW IN NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED SEX TRAFFICKING

This article examines the phenomenon of Technology-Facilitated Sex Trafficking (TFST) in Malaysia, with focusing on the application of Syariah Law. TFST utilises digital platforms to exploit victims, presenting significant challenges for law enforcement and victim protection efforts. This study aims to analyse how Malaysia’s current civil and Syariah legal frameworks respond to the complexities of TFST and to propose a more ethically grounded solution based on Islamic legal principles. This article adopts a doctrinal methodology to assess the synergy and limitations between current statutory laws and Islamic legal thought. The discussion highlights how Syariah law can inform and enhance legal responses to TFST, ensuring alignment with both ethical considerations and the protection of human rights in Malaysia. The research highlights gaps in enforcement, including limitations in detecting technology-driven crimes, inter-agency coordination challenges, and insufficient victim-centred protections. Drawing on Islamic principles such as justice (al-adl), human dignity (karamah insaniyyah), and the prohibition of exploitation (zulm), the study provides an ethical perspective on the issue. This article contributes to existing literature by offering a comparative lens between Islamic and statutory law, proposing integrated legal reform to address TFST more holistically. The findings emphasise the need for Malaysia to strengthen its enforcement mechanisms and enhance legal processes to address TFST effectively. This study proposes reforms to Malaysia’s legal response to TFST by grounding it in Syariah values that uphold dignity and ensure justice within the country’s dual legal system.