PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim committed to speeding up the implementation of the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act to dignify the status of Syariah Court judges in Malaysia.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the matter has garnered the government's attention to balance the Syariah Judicial Service Scheme and the Civil Judicial Service Scheme.
"I was informed about the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act. It is currently following the PTD (Administrative and Diplomatic Officer) scheme.
"So, God willing, I will ask Dr Na'im (Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar) to expedite the adoption of the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act, so that the judges' status is raised. For me, just negotiate well and resolve it," he said when officiating the Convention to Uphold Malaysia's Syariah Judiciary and Legislation here on Monday (July 15).
Previously, the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Scheme was under the PTD Scheme because Syariah judges were considered public service officers.
Commenting further, Anwar said the proposed implementation of the act should be considered to ensure that there are no more views on the lower status of Syariah judges.
"It will also definitely give strength and courage to Syariah judges to apply the law more authoritatively," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na'im said the convention, held for the first time, aimed to strengthen Syariah laws and judiciary in Malaysia, as well as to strengthen the interests of the religion, the country, and the ummah.
"The agenda of upholding Syariah law and judiciary in Malaysia has become an important pillar of the Al-Falah Transformation Plan, set in motion by the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), as a platform for improving the administration of Islamic affairs," he said.
He added that the convention was also a follow-up for scholars, lawyers, and administrators to share knowledge, analyse current issues, and provide proposals and recommendations towards strengthening the legal and judicial Syariah system in this country.
