KUALA LUMPUR – Fee exemption for members of the Federal Territories Shariah Bar Council will directly benefit the people because lawyers no longer need to transfer the costs to their clients.
Its president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said the concern shown by religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Nai’m Mokhtar on the matter should be emulated by all, as he puts public interest above the government’s revenue.
“This decision brings great relief to the Federal Territories Shariah Bar Council which has just entered a new era after the implementation of Act 814, which came into force on June 21, 2022 – coupled with a health crisis that has not yet fully recovered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We believe that Nai’m’s experience in the shariah judiciary has helped him make a quick and accurate decision in this matter. It is also a manifestation of his authority as minister even though he has not yet reached 100 days in office,” he said in a statement today.
Zainul Rijal said the council also hoped there would be regular talks, especially regarding the issues of shariah lawyers, courts and legislation.
“The Federal Territories Shariah Bar Council is ready at any time to help him (Nai’m) in any capacity for the purpose,” he said.
Zainul Rijal also said that it had conducted a study on the fees for the coming years and the outcome and recommendations will be submitted to the authorities in the near future.
“I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Na’im for his concern in relation to the burden borne by shariah lawyers, especially in the Federal Territories,” he said and also thanked shariah courts in the Federal Territories, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Islamic Development Department for working together to resolve the matter well.
Earlier, Nai’m announced that there will be no imposition of fees for Federal Territories Shariah Bar Council members under Sections 23, 24, 29 and 31 of the Sharie Legal Profession Act 2019 (Act 814) for this year. – Bernama, January 27, 2023
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