Proposed amendments to Syariah Courts Act in document preparation stage, says Mohd Na'im

KANGAR: The government is preparing documentation concerning proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) for submission to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI).

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said discussions and consultations with state Islamic religious agencies on efforts to improve the Act have been concluded.

"We have discussed the matter with state agencies, such as the Syariah Courts, Chief Syariah Judges, Chief Syariah prosecutors, Chief Religious Enforcement officers, and State Islamic Religious Councils.

"We are now preparing the documents. We will present them at the MKI meeting, which coordinates all matters related to Islamic affairs, including the implementation of Syariah laws in our country," he said.

He said this after the state-level Sinar Lestari programme by the Malaysia Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) at Masjid Kampung Surau, in Utan Aji, on Tuesday (April 23). – Bernama