ABSTRACT
This chapter explores dynamics of double—or better, multiple—legitimization and sovereignty in the Muslim world, with particular reference to Islamic courts in Malaysia. It provides some of the historical and ethnographic background relevant to an understanding of Malaysia's Islamic judiciary and the ways it is embedded in the more encompassing secular legal system that was devised by the British during the colonial era. The chapter expands the discussion and analysis by addressing various other aspects of globalization, legitimacy, and sovereignty, including some of the challenges posed to Malaysian sovereignty by the Asian financial crisis and the "bail-out directives" issued to Malaysian leaders by the International Monetary Fund. It also examines selected responses to such challenges; most notably, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's sacking and jailing of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on charges of sodomy, corruption, and bribery, and for numerous aspects of legitimacy and sovereignty. The chapter addresses some of the broader issues raised by this and related material.
