Syariah lawyers ready to defend fellow Muslims
By Rosli Abidin Yahya 

Ten Syariah lawyers would soon be allowed to practise their skills in defending Muslims brought to courts as a result of religious misconducts. The lawyers could be issued with practising certificates sooner which will allow them to defend their clients at the Syariah courts.

The ten Syariah lawyers have been waiting since March 26, 2001 for their practising certificates.

There had been a backlog of less than 100 cases because alleged offenders wanted to acquire Syariah lawyers. As a result many such cases had been adjourned.

Even though the Syariah enactment is now ready and most Syariah lawyers had applied to Syariah courts to enable them to represent their clients, they have not been able to do so because their applications to practice their law skills had not been approved.

Syariah lawyers were said to be excited with the news that they may be able to practice soon.

When contacted, a Syariah lawyer said he heard about the matter and was really glad that the wait would soon be over.

Another lawyer said he was frightened of losing his job since he had not done much in the office.

"We can advice clients but could not represent them. We told them how to answer charges but some of them forgot the advice given when facing the judges.

"A great number of clients need Syariah lawyers to defend them in Syariah courts," he said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin