Najib announces introduction of 'syariah index'

KUALA LUMPUR: A first-ever "syariah index" will be introduced on Feb 10, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak told a press conference today after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre.
"If there is positive evaluation after its introduction, we hope that it can be adopted by other Muslim nations subsequently. We also hope that with the existence of this benchmark, it will show clearly what we have done and implemented in terms of Islamic fulfillment all this while," he said.
Najib said the index will be launched in conjunction with the "Perdana Ulama Mubarak 2015" ceremony and will give special emphasis on five areas, namely religion, life, mind, race and assets.
He added that the syariah index will show that Umno is committed to championing the Islamic cause.
Eight components that will be assessed under the index will be education, economy, infrastructure, legislation, environment, politic, social and culture.
The prime minister said that a special task force from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and religious experts would be responsible in preparing the index.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Umno information head Datuk Ahmad Maslan.