SHAH ALAM, Nov 8 — Selangor Barisan Nasional assemblymen have expressed regret over the Speaker’s rejection of the proposed motion to empower the Shariah court institution in the state during the State Legislative Assembly last week.
Permatang assemblyman, Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Razak who represented the group, said the proposal was submitted to the assembly on Oct 13, but was rejected by Speaker Hannah Yeoh in chambers on Nov 2, on the grounds that Shariah courts were under the judiciary, and not subject to legislative jurisdiction.
“We regret the rejection as the issue needs to be discussed to empower Shariah court institutions in the state,” he said in a news conference at the State Legislative Assembly here today.
He said the previous BN-led state government had supported the empowerment of the state Shariah Court institution by setting up the Islamic Religious Administration (Selangor) Enactment 2003 and hence, some improvements were needed to uphold the institution.
“The issue involving the care and upgrade of Shariah court premises needs to be debated, as well,” he added.
Sulaiman said the emoluments and remuneration of Shariah Court judges and staff were found to be much lower than their peers in the civil court.
He said he could not accept the reason given by the Speaker when she rejected the proposal. — Bernama
