Former Chief Justice Zaki Azmi has suggested that the federal and state governments sit together to discuss the jurisdiction of syariah and civil courts, and make the necessary amendments if needed.

He said this was because even though the Federal Constitution was amended by inserting Article 121 (1A) in 1988 to state that syariah matters must be decided by syariah courts, it was still not very clear as certain cases were also heard in civil courts.

“So I am suggesting that the loopholes be plugged. Perhaps a conference of muftis can be held to resolve this because the law is a living thing and has to be amended from time to time,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after delivering a public lecture titled Civil vs Syariah: Article 121 (1A) Is It Now Final? at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. He is also the Adjunct Professor for the university’s Syariah Laws Faculty.

Also present was USIM vice-chancellor Prof Musa Ahmad.

-- Bernama