SABAH has created history by being the second State in the country after Perak to establish its own Syariah Supreme Court as the fourth tier.
State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, who is also the State Exco of Islamic Affairs, said this was possible after the passing of the new 2024 Syariah Court Enactment Bill in the Assembly, last Wednesday.
As a consequence, many enactments and provisions related to Syariah Court and legislations have been enhanced through amendments.
Nine Bills to empower Sabah’s Syariah legislations and judiciary were passed.
Four Bills were passed including the new 2024 Syariah Court Enactment Bill and three amended Bills on July 10 while another five with amendments were also approved in the Assembly.
They are the Syariah Criminal Procedure Bill (Amendment) Enactment 2024, Islamic Family Law (Amendment) Bill Enactment 2024, Zakat and Fitrah Bill (Amendment) Enactment 2024, Wakaf (State of Sabah) Bill (Amendment) Enactment 2024 and Syariah Criminal Offences Bill (Amendment) Enactment 2024.
He said the amendments were necessary so as to be consistent with current terms used in relevant Syariah laws following the new establishment of Syariah Supreme Court under the new law of Syariah Court Enactment 2024.
He pledged to address shortages of judges, Syariah officers and enforcement officers, among others, as raised by Bugaya Assemblyman Jamil Hamzah and Senallang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who debated the Bills in the State Legislative Assembly, last Thursday.
“We are also aware of the urgent need to overcome the problem of delays (in hearing the cases), resolving the cases involving the community, especially in cases related to Mal (civil) cases such as marriage, divorce, fasakh (dissolution of marriage), and faraid (distribution of property based on Islamic law), among others.
“We will set up a special committee to speed up resolving those issues comprehensively and find ways to overcome them that are related to the Syariah Court provisions and laws.
“I will chair this committee comprising the Malaysian Syariah Justice Department, Sabah, Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis), Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains), Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Sabah State Attorney’s Office, Sabah State Public Service Department (JPA Sabah) and some relevant departments and agencies that we will think and include them later.
“I will bring this proposal to the State Cabinet for approval so we have a source of power,” he said after the tabling of the five amended Bills at the State Legislative Assembly.
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