Syariah courts in Sabah, Labuan to operate on limited basis

PUTRAJAYA: Syariah courts in Selangor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan will operate on a limited basis from today (Thursday) until the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is lifted.

The Malaysian Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM) in a statement Wednesday said the courts will only hear syariah cases in certain categories including urgent cases that need to be given immediate attention such as those involving abuse or to record consent.

“Applications can be made with immediate certification which will be scrutinised by the chief registrar or registrar with the approval of the syarie chief judge or syariah high court judge or syariah lower court judge subject to the procedures set by the state,” it said.

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JKSM said cases that have time limits such as filing of notice of appeal within 14 days will also be given priority.

Any case that has been set for mention or trial during the CMCO period will be postponed unless it has obtained immediate certification, the statement said.

According to JKSM, the move to limit the operations of the syariah courts in the states was taken following the directive of the Director General of Public Service Department Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman who instructed a maximum of 30 per cent staff present at the office from tomorrow until the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) ends.

It said the decision was made after discussions with the Federal Territories Syariah Court, the Selangor Syariah Judiciary Department and the Sabah Syariah Judiciary Department.

The Syariah Court operations guidelines in Selangor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan can be accessed via the official websites or Facebook pages of the three departments.

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As a measure to support the government in curbing Covid-19, case management will also be done in accordance with standard operating procedures of the National Security Council and Covid-19 management guidelines of the Ministry of Health, JKSM added. 

Meanwhile, in SEREMBAN, its State Government recommended owners of all convenience stores and eateries in Negeri Sembilan which were previously allowed to operate until 2 am to open their premises till midnight only.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the matter was among the issues discussed during the State Special Security Committee (JKKN) meeting on Covid-19 held last Monday.

“This is to help lower the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the state without affecting the economic sector,” he said after chairing the state executive council meeting here, Wednesday.

Aminuddin said as of Tuesday, a total of 45 Covid-19 positive cases have been recorded in Negeri Sembilan.

He said there were also 296 cases of persons under surveillance which currently being placed at three quarantine stations namely Institut Aminuddin Baki and Akademi Audit Negara in Bandar Enstek, Nilai and Malbatt Village in Port Dickson.

Meanwhile, he said although all religious activities in mosques and surau in the state have been allowed to be conducted, subject to the standard operating procedures set by the authorities, those who wish to hold religious talks in the state are still required to get prior approval from district religious offices.