The New Straits Times
By Alina Simon, M. Hamzah Jamaludin and T.N. Alagesh
Suraya, who is single, was formerly a research officer of the Appeal Court while Rafidah, who is married, was a research officer for a syariah court judge at the Syariah Judicial Department in Putrajaya.
Both served in their posts for six years.
They received their appointment letters in mid-May after getting the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Najib said their appointments were part of the changes to transform the syariah courts to provide greater protection and justice for women.
Najib also said there was a need for the transformation, especially when it came to protecting the rights of women and children under the family institution.
"Many Muslim women felt they were being victimised and did not get the full justice owed to them, largely due to lengthy delays in settling their cases.
"Many even accused the syariah courts of practising gender bias. I hope our syariah officers can find the most effective and relevant methods to ease the backlog of cases."
Najib also revealed other changes, including the age limit for the chief judge to be extended from 58 to 66 years.
He also said RM15 million had been allocated for women who were left in a lurch after their husbands failed to provide alimonies as ordered by the courts.
The government had also introduced incentives to encourage syariah officers to do their masters or doctorates.
The incentives could help raise the expertise of syariah officers in their respective fields and enable them to handle the polemics and new, more complex syariah issues.
Najib said issues, such as the fight for custody involving couples from different religions and over the remains of deceased converts, validation of religious status, disputes over property inheritance between Muslims and non-Muslims, whether non-Muslim lawyers could appear before syariah courts and multi-million ringgit claims, required a high level of expertise and wisdom to resolve.
The Syariah Judicial Department required creative transformation and innovative leadership to uplift the image of the syariah courts and raise the integrity of syariah judges and officers, he added.
Both Suraya and Rafidah regard their appointments as a recognition for women.
They also said they would uphold justice in shouldering the responsibilities entrusted to them.
By Alina Simon, M. Hamzah Jamaludin and T.N. Alagesh
KUANTAN: Two women made history recently when they were appointed as Syariah High Court judges at the Putrajaya and Federal Territory courts.
They are Suraya Ramli, 31, from Sabah, and Rafidah Abdul Razak, 39, from Penang.
Their appointments were announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech at the opening of a three-day national conference for syariah officials here.
His speech was read by the religious adviser to the prime minister, Datuk Dr Abdullah Mat Zin.
They are Suraya Ramli, 31, from Sabah, and Rafidah Abdul Razak, 39, from Penang.
Their appointments were announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech at the opening of a three-day national conference for syariah officials here.
His speech was read by the religious adviser to the prime minister, Datuk Dr Abdullah Mat Zin.
Suraya, who is single, was formerly a research officer of the Appeal Court while Rafidah, who is married, was a research officer for a syariah court judge at the Syariah Judicial Department in Putrajaya.
Both served in their posts for six years.
They received their appointment letters in mid-May after getting the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Najib said their appointments were part of the changes to transform the syariah courts to provide greater protection and justice for women.
Najib also said there was a need for the transformation, especially when it came to protecting the rights of women and children under the family institution.
"Many Muslim women felt they were being victimised and did not get the full justice owed to them, largely due to lengthy delays in settling their cases.
"Many even accused the syariah courts of practising gender bias. I hope our syariah officers can find the most effective and relevant methods to ease the backlog of cases."
Najib also revealed other changes, including the age limit for the chief judge to be extended from 58 to 66 years.
He also said RM15 million had been allocated for women who were left in a lurch after their husbands failed to provide alimonies as ordered by the courts.
The government had also introduced incentives to encourage syariah officers to do their masters or doctorates.
The incentives could help raise the expertise of syariah officers in their respective fields and enable them to handle the polemics and new, more complex syariah issues.
Najib said issues, such as the fight for custody involving couples from different religions and over the remains of deceased converts, validation of religious status, disputes over property inheritance between Muslims and non-Muslims, whether non-Muslim lawyers could appear before syariah courts and multi-million ringgit claims, required a high level of expertise and wisdom to resolve.
The Syariah Judicial Department required creative transformation and innovative leadership to uplift the image of the syariah courts and raise the integrity of syariah judges and officers, he added.
Both Suraya and Rafidah regard their appointments as a recognition for women.
They also said they would uphold justice in shouldering the responsibilities entrusted to them.
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