PUTRAJAYA, July 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today gave his commitment that the government will speed up the proposed implementation of the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act to dignify the status of the country’s Syariah Court judges.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the matter received the government's attention as there is a need to balance between the Syariah Judicial Service Scheme and the Civil Judicial Service Scheme.
"I was informed about the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act and that it is now as per the PTD (Administrative and Diplomatic Officer) scheme.
"God willing, I will ask Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar to speed up the adoption of the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Act, so that they are raised.
“For me, just negotiate well and resolve it," he said when officiating the Convention to Uphold Malaysia's Syariah Judiciary and Legislation here today.
Currently, the Syariah Judges’ Remuneration Scheme is under the PTD scheme as Syariah judges are considered public service officers.
Commenting further, Anwar said the proposed implementation of the act should be considered to ensure Syariah judges are no longer viewed as being inferior.
"It will also definitely give strength and courage to the judges to apply the law more authoritatively," he said.
Meanwhile, Na'im said the convention, which was held for the first time, was aimed at strengthening Syariah laws and judiciary in Malaysia as well as strengthening the interests of the religion, country and ummah.
"The agenda of upholding Syariah law and judiciary in Malaysia has become an important pillar of the Al-Falah Transformation Plan, which was set in motion by the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) as a platform for improving the administration of Islamic affairs," he said.
He said the convention was also a follow-up for scholars and lawyers, including administrators, to share knowledge, analyse current issues and provide proposals and recommendations towards strengthening the legal and judicial Syariah system in this country.
— Bernama
