SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Mufti Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad welcomed efforts by the Federal Government to streamline and coordinate the syariah laws in the country.
He however stressed that any amendments on the existing laws must be made on the foundation of Islamic law and not based on human logic.
“In principle, we have no qualms with efforts to streamline the laws to ensure that the penalties are relevant to present times and with the current situation.
“The Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) must act as a coordinator for the efforts and mufti of all states must be called for a meeting to discuss on the proposed amendments.
“The decision on the proposed amendments will then rely on the assent by the state rulers,” he told NST on Tuesday.
He was commenting on the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa on efforts to streamline and coordinate syariah laws, including a study on penalties that included rehabilitative measures such as the community service.
Mohd Yusof had said the punishments vary depending on the type of offences.
“Punishments for adultery and alcohol consumption (for example) could not be amended as they were already provided in Quran and hadith.
“We have no problem to consider improvement on penalties like community service for other offences,” he was reported as saying.