According to Penang Mufti, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, the establishment of the Malaysian Syariah Prosecution Department is a positive move because it helps to separate the roles and responsibilities of enforcement agencies from prosecution. It also addresses the issue of overlapping powers between the Islamic Religious Department and the Syariah Courts.
Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor clarified that the setting up of the department at the federal level does not infringe upon state powers and will not alter the powers and functions of the State Syariah Chief Prosecutor as stated in the State Islamic Religious Affairs Enactment.
He also mentioned that the department should have been set up earlier to streamline the management of cases brought forward by the Muslim community for resolution by the Syariah Court.
In the media report on Wednesday (Feb 21), it was revealed that the government plans to establish the department to strengthen the Syariah legal ecosystem in the country. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that the process of establishing it is currently in the discussion stage.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to systematically and regularly empowering Syariah legislations, including through proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Bill 355). – Bernama
