Leadership renewal at Syariah Court

Distinguished Guests

Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

Assalaamu 'alaikum wrt wbr and Good Afternoon.

1. Firstly, let me wish our Muslim friends and colleagues 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri'. I would like to thank everyone for your presence here today. Today's lunch is an opportunity to honour two retiring presidents of the Syariah Court (SYC) for their contributions and tireless service – Senior President Ustaz Mohamad Rais and President Zainol Abeedin Hussin. Their expertise, knowledge and experience make them an invaluable source of reference on Muslim family law. Their contributions have touched lives and benefited our Muslim community.

2. As their term draws to an end tomorrow, we look forward to a new team that will lead the SYC in addressing the challenges ahead. During the Budget debates last March, I announced the appointment of Ustaz Muhammad Fazalee Ja'afar and Ustazah Raihanah Halid as presidents. Today, I welcome the designation of Ustaz Alfian Yasrif Kuchit as the new Senior President effective 1st July. Ustaz Alfian is no stranger to the SYC, having served as a president from 2011 to 2014.  I am confident that the team will continue to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in upholding the highest standards of justice.

3. The Syariah Court was first constituted in November 1958 when Singapore was still under British rule. It had only one President then, Ustaz Mohamed Taha Mohd Fadzlullah Suhaimi, who was concurrently the Registrar of Muslim Marriages. After independence, Parliament passed the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), which brought into existence a new Syariah Court with expanded powers.

4. AMLA was passed at a time when Singapore was struggling for survival. Its First Reading in Parliament by the late Encik Othman Wok was in December 1965, just a mere four months after independence. It signalled the Government's commitment to care for the socio-religious interests of the Malay/Muslim community. We will continue to ensure that AMLA remains robust and relevant so as to address future challenges and needs. On Monday 3 July, I will introduce a Bill to amend AMLA that will further strengthen our key institutions, to better serve the Muslim community.

5. Our current framework has ensured that Muslim family law is well-embedded within the Singapore legal system. Pragmatic and inclusive, the AMLA enables Muslims to be governed by Muslim law in aspects such as marriage, divorce and inheritance. However, good laws and policies would be in vain unless we have capable men and women who uphold the ethos of service and incorruptibility. Throughout the years, we have seen many exemplars of dedicated service – those who had quietly and tirelessly striven to do better, and who had gone out of their way to do what is right.

6. Ustaz Mohamad and Mr Zainol Abeedin are no different. Despite having to face insistent and, at times, vehement members of the public who demand that SYC decide in their favour, Ustaz Mohamad and Mr Zainol Abeedin have always administered Muslim family law fairly and efficiently, without fear or favour. Even though they could have retired earlier, they continued to serve when asked to do so. Under their watch, SYC has grown from strength to strength. Ustaz Mohamad's knowledge of Islamic legal doctrines and Mr Zainol Abeedin's experience as a judge at the civil courts have enhanced the development of our local jurisprudence on Muslim family law. As a result, they have safeguarded public trust and confidence in the institution.

7. For their sterling contributions, let me record my sincere appreciation to both of them. I am grateful that they have agreed to serve as ad-hoc SYC presidents so that we can continue to tap on their expertise and wisdom.

8. This leadership renewal is a significant milestone for SYC. I hope that the community will continue to give its strong support to the new team so that SYC can grow from strength to strength to better serve the community to the best of its abilities.

9. Now, allow me to say a few words in Malay.

10. Mac lalu, saya mengumumkan pelantikan dua Presiden Mahkamah Syariah yang baru iaitu Ustaz Muhammad Fazalee Ja'afar dan Ustazah Raihanah Halid. Saya juga merakamkan penghargaan kepada Presiden Kanan, Ustaz Hj Mohamad Rais dan Presiden Zainol Abeedin Hussin, atas jasa bakti cemerlang sepanjang tempoh perkhidmatan mereka. Hari ini, saya mengalu-alukan pelantikan Ustaz Alfian Yasrif Kuchit sebagai Presiden Kanan yang baru, bermula 1 Julai. Walaupun Ustaz Mohamad dan Encik Zainol Abeedin bakal bersara, namun saya berbesar hati kerana mereka bersetuju untuk terus berkongsi ilmu dan pengetahuan mereka sebagai Presiden secara sambilan.

11. Kita di Singapura beruntung kerana keperluan sosio-keagamaan masyarakat Islam diberikan perhatian yang sewajarnya oleh pemerintah. Mahkamah Syariah adalah salah satu institusi penting di bawah Akta Pentadbiran Undang-Undang Islam atau AMLA, sebagai tunggak pentadbiran undang-undang keluarga Islam yang turut mengambil kira konteks negara dan peredaran zaman agar perubahan dan kesinambungan dapat diimbangi. Oleh yang demikian, kita harus memastikan Mahkamah Syariah serta institusi AMLA yang lain terus dipimpin dan ditadbir oleh pegawai yang berkebolehan demi memastikan kemaslahatan umum.

12. Ustaz Mohamad dan Encik Zainol Abeedin adalah contoh pegawai yang tekun berusaha dan sentiasa sedia berkhidmat walaupun sering berhadapan dengan situasi yang rumit dalam perundangan keluarga Islam. Namun demikian, Ustaz Mohamad dan Encik Zainol tetap menjalankan tanggungjawab mereka dengan adil dan saksama. Sekali lagi, saya mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada mereka berdua kerana telah menjalankan tugas dengan baik. Saya berdoa agar Allah SWT memberikan mereka kesejahteraan dan kesihatan agar dapat terus berjasa kepada masyarakat dan negara.

13. Once again, please join me in recording our appreciation to our retiring Syariah Court presidents. I wish them and their family well in the years ahead.

14. Thank you.