AGC says already has division to address shariah law issues

It says the division placed under the solicitor-general makes it unnecessary for a special officer to be appointed to oversee matters related to shariah law.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers says the Syariah and Harmonisation of Law Division is supervised by the solicitor-general.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has clarified that it already has a Syariah and Harmonisation of Law Division to address issues related to shariah law at federal and international levels.

In a statement today, the AGC said it also had a Council of Experts (Multi-Disciplines) whose members included Sheikh Ghazali Abdul Rahman, an expert in shariah law.

Based on the AGC organisational structure, the division was placed under the supervision of the solicitor-general (the post currently held by Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek).

“The AGC noted that there was a proposal for the attorney-general to appoint an officer from the AGC, specifically to supervise on matters and issues related to shariah law,” the statement said.

“At the AGC, there is already a Division of Syariah and Harmonisation of Law, which has the roles of tackling any issues related to shariah law arising at the federal and international levels.”

The AGC also has a new attorney-general, Tommy Thomas, who was appointed on June 4 to replace Mohamed Apandi Ali.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V consented to the appointment of Thomas as the new attorney-general on the advice of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad according to Article 145 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

Thomas, who has 42 years of experience as a lawyer, began his duties at the AGC on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Pakatan Harapan and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have said that the AGC could appoint a dedicated officer to oversee Islamic law issues in light of concerns that Thomas was a non-Muslim.

He said the special appointee would oversee only matters related to Islam if the prime minister agreed to the idea. -FMT