Permatang Assemblyman 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 during 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 upgrading of shariah court premises needs to be debated as well.”
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.