Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Hmm..i suppose body snatching and kid-napping may enter the job scope as well since Zaid says that “job scope is still being worked out”. He mentioned that:
The Syariah Judicial Department has set up a special division, to enforce syariah court decisions on family-related and divorce cases.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said experienced officers who made up the family support division would be based in all syariah courts to help in the enforcement of judgments“If, say, in a divorce case, a husband fails to pay matrimonial claims as decided by the courts, the officers will act accordingly to make sure the husband follows the order.
“The officers may have to apply for a court order or do other things they deem fit.”
Obviously it will be helpful for single mothers who suffer because the husband does not pay alimony. However, in cases of suspected conversion and matters arising from conversion, it may create problems. If wrongly executed, enforcement will create more stressful situation for cases like divorce, conversion, property division etc. Perhaps it will be prudent to send the officers for soft skill courses like communication skills, counseling, public relations etc.
As malaysians are becoming increasingly wary of syariah courts in last few years, we have enforcement officers roaming around soon. Hopefully the plans to streamline conversion applications process gets attention like the enforcement officer proposal as well.
There should also be some check and balance to ensure these officers are not exposed to bribery or become little Napeleons of their own. We have read in papers about reports on officers from religious departments receiving bribes or soliciting sexual favors in return for not taking action.
Well, don’t get me wrong. I’m quite wary on such plans since the issue of impact of syariah law on non-muslims itself is a sore point.
