GEORGE TOWN: The country’s syariah judicial system must be strengthened and comprehensively improved to address the issue of prolonged case adjournments, ensuring that justice is delivered more swiftly and effectively.
Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi said that many cases in the syariah courts are delayed due to repeated adjournments and inefficiencies in court administration.
He said adjournments often occur due to various factors, including the absence of lawyers or parties involved, as well as adjournment requests made without valid reasons.
Such delays, he added, not only waste time but also unfairly burden innocent parties, particularly in cases affecting the underprivileged.
“The court is meant to serve justice, but when cases drag on for years, we are essentially denying justice, and it is the innocent who suffer,” he said to reporters after delivering a presentation in conjunction with the Penang Syariah Law and Judicial Convention on Tuesday (July 22).
Zaki suggested that the service delivery system in syariah courts be improved to ensure that those in need receive proper assistance without being burdened by complicated or inconvenient procedures.
“I propose that the syariah court administration assist individuals who cannot afford lawyers by creating user-friendly templates to simplify the process of filing cases. Even lawyers, if they see people who cannot afford legal services, should step in and help them pro bono,” he said. – Bernama
