KOTA BARU: A special committee will be established to facilitate the setting up of more shariah courts in the country, and to further empower existing ones.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the committee will comprise experts from the religious and legal spheres, as well as politicians.
"The recent decision by the Kelantan government to allow public caning has ignited the issue, which is being hotly discussed by the public.
"Therefore, I believe it is time for me to bring the matter to the Prime Minister's attention, so that there could be a special committee aimed at empowering the country’s shariah courts," he said.
Jamil Khir said this to reporters after making a courtesy call on Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob at his office here today.
He said he discussed the matter with Ahmad, and will raise the same issue with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak soon.
"I will give further details on the matter after I meet the Prime Minister," he said.
Jamil Khir added that during the one-hour meeting, he and Ahmad also discussed the progress of the national-level Sports Tournament for Secondary Religious Schools (Kesumma) which ended today.
A total of 2,000 religious students took part in the tournament which began on Sunday.