Be well-versed in English, Samsudin urges Syariah judges

SHAH ALAM: Syariah Court judges should master their command of English in order to be more efficient and professional in carrying out their duties, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman here yesterday. 

He said these judges should be well-versed in English, as they would be required in the course of their duty to refer to law books, which were mainly available in English. 

Syariah Court prosecutors, lawyers, research officers and other staff should not only be well-versed in English but also Arabic, he told reporters after opening the 5th AGM of Syariah Court officials at a hotel here yesterday. 

Meanwhile, Samsudin said the public would be able to enjoy better services provided by Syariah Courts once its e-Syariah portal was fully implemented in June 2005. 

“Syariah Courts will be linked to the various government departments such as the Religious Development Department (Jakim), National Registration Dpartment, Immigration, Police and the Prime Minister’s Department through the portal.  

“The courts will also be linked with all the state religious departments to avoid overlapping of cases,” he said, adding the portal would enable the public to register and follow the status of their cases online.