QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSION OF SYARIE LAWYERS IN MALAYSIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN SELECTED STATES

The qualifications of Syarie lawyers play an important role in ensuring the implementation of justice and compliance with Sharia law in Syariah Courts. However, there are significant differences in the administration and regulations related to the qualifications and appointment of Syarie lawyers between states in Malaysia. This study aims to analyze the qualifications of Syarie lawyers in several selected states, identify the challenges that arise from these inconsistencies, and propose solutions to improve the Syarie lawyer administration system. This study uses a qualitative approach by collecting data through library research and interviewing stakeholders, such as Syarie lawyers and academics. The main data sources include books, journals, articles, Arabic books, and relevant state legal provisions. The study’s findings indicates that the qualifications, appointment procedures, and disciplinary actions against Syarie lawyers vary between states. This inconsistency not only creates confusion among prospective Syarie lawyers but also makes it difficult to coordinate efforts at the national level. In addition, this inconsistency affects the efficiency of the Syariah legal system, especially in ensuring high standards of professionalism and integrity among Syarie lawyers. This study proposes the drafting of a standardized rules relating to the qualifications and administration of Syarie lawyers in Malaysia. This rule should cover academic qualifications, appointment procedures, disciplinary control, and establishment of a regulatory body that coordinates all matters related to Syarie lawyers. This step is expected to increase the efficiency of the administration of Syariah law and strengthen the credibility of Syariah institutions in Malaysia.

Kelayakan peguam Syarie memainkan peranan penting dalam memastikan pelaksanaan keadilan dan keselarasan dengan hukum Syarak di Mahkamah Syariah. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat perbezaan ketara dalam pentadbiran dan peraturan yang berkaitan dengan kelayakan dan pelantikan peguam Syarie antara negeri-negeri di Malaysia. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis syarat kelayakan peguam Syarie di beberapa negeri terpilih, mengenal pasti cabaran yang wujud akibat ketidakseragaman tersebut, serta mencadangkan penyelesaian untuk menambah baik sistem pentadbiran peguam Syarie secara menyeluruh. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan mengumpulkan data melalui kajian perpustakaan dan temu bual bersama pihak berkepentingan, seperti peguam Syarie dan ahli akademik. Sumber data utama termasuk buku, jurnal, artikel, kitab Arab, dan peruntukan undang-undang negeri-negeri yang berkaitan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa syarat kelayakan, prosedur pelantikan, serta tindakan tatatertib terhadap peguam Syarie berbeza-beza antara negeri. Ketidakseragaman ini bukan sahaja mencetuskan kekeliruan dalam kalangan calon peguam Syarie, malah menyukarkan usaha penyelarasan di peringkat nasional. Di samping itu, ketidakselarasan ini memberi kesan kepada kecekapan sistem perundangan Syariah, khususnya dalam memastikan standard profesionalisme dan integriti yang tinggi dalam kalangan peguam Syarie. Kajian ini mencadangkan suatu peraturan atau garis panduan yang seragam berkaitan kelayakan dan pentadbiran peguam Syarie di Malaysia. Peraturan ini perlu merangkumi aspek kelayakan akademik, prosedur pelantikan, kawalan tatatertib, serta penubuhan badan pengawalseliaan yang menyelaras semua perkara berkaitan peguam Syarie. Langkah ini diharap dapat meningkatkan kecekapan pentadbiran undang-undang Syariah serta memperkukuh kredibiliti institusi Syariah di Malaysia.