The government has agreed to establish the special committee to empower Syariah Court and Syariah law as a whole, in line with the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution.

Minister in the prime minister’s department Jamil Khir Baharom said the establishment of the special committee was approved by the cabinet at its meeting yesterday.

He said the initiative also proved the government’s continuous commitment to empowering Syariah Court in a holistic manner for the benefit of the Muslims.

“The committee will be a credible platform to improve the existing Syariah Court’s judicial system,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

Jamil Khir said several clusters would be set up under the committee to discuss matters concerning efforts to harmonise civil and Syariah laws; the proposed amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355); management and restructuring of Syariah Court; trainings for Syariah judges and officers; Syariah law education; and Syariah lawyer affairs.

The committee will comprise representatives from state Islamic religious councils and attorney general's chambers, academicians, social activists, former top government officers and legal experts from both civil and Syariah Courts, he added.

- Bernama