Sabah records 18,183 Syariah cases

KOTA KINABALU: The Syariah Courts in Sabah recorded 18,183 cases, from 2016 to date.
Sabah Syariah Judiciary Department Chief Judge, Datuk Jasri Matjakir said of the number, 15,073 were 'mal' or non Syariah criminal cases while 3,110 were Syariah criminal cases.
"Of the 15,073 mal cases,12,004 had been disposed; of the 3,110 criminal cases, 2,279 had been disposed," he told reporters after the commissioning of 16 new Syarie lawyers here today, which was officiated by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Ariffin Arif.
Meanwhile, he said the commissioning of the 16 brought the number of registered Syarie lawyers in Sabah to 97.
"The endorsement would allow the new Syarie lawyers to open their own Syariah law firm," he said, adding, it would also help the Syariah Court dispose cases more speedily.

Meanwhile, Ariffin who is also Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) chairman called on the new Syarie lawyers to carry out their responsibilities towards their clients with ethics and integrity.
"It is very important for you to be committed and confident in your profession as lawyers besides being respectful towards all.
"You are also obliged to provide your clients alternatives to settle their cases such as through mediation," he said.
As MUIS chairman, he assured, he would see to it that the Syariah Court in Sabah which is presently located in MUIS' premises would be provided with any necessary facilities. — Bernama