Ex-CJ: Strengthen Syariah Courts, Be Firm On Case Adjournments

GEORGE TOWN, July 22 (Bernama) -- The country’s syariah judicial system must be strengthened and comprehensively improved to address the issue of prolonged case adjournments, ensuring that justice is delivered more swiftly and effectively.

Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi said that many cases in the syariah courts are delayed due to repeated adjournments and inefficiencies in court administration.

He said adjournments often occur due to various factors, including the absence of lawyers or parties involved, as well as adjournment requests made without valid reasons. Such delays, he added, not only waste time but also unfairly burden innocent parties, particularly in cases involving divorce, maintenance claims, and hadanah (child custody), especially those affecting the underprivileged.

“That is why I urge judges to be firm in making decisions and to reject adjournment requests that lack strong justification.

“Adjourned cases are simply a waste of time. The court is meant to serve justice, but when cases drag on for years, we are essentially denying justice, and it is the innocent who suffer,” he said.

He said this to reporters after delivering a presentation titled ‘Memartabatkan Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia’ in conjunction with the Penang Syariah Law and Judicial Convention here today.

Also present were Malaysian Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and Penang Syariah chief judge Za’im Md Yudin.

Explaining further, Zaki suggested that the service delivery system in the syariah court be improved to ensure that those in need receive proper assistance without being burdened by complicated or inconvenient procedures.

“I propose that the syariah court administration assist individuals who cannot afford lawyers by creating user-friendly templates to simplify the process of filing cases.

“Even lawyers, if they see people who cannot afford legal services, should step in and help them pro bono,” he said.

-- BERNAMA