Awang Suhaili (right), Abdul Karim (left) and others watch a video presentation on I-Syariah after the launching ceremony.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department will roll out its ‘Syariah Intelligence Management System’ (I-Syariah) by November next year, as part of its transformation.
According to Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and Kuching North City Commission) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, measures are being taken to meet the target date.
“I believe that with the system in place, it can boost the department’s performance, and used as a benchmark for all public services in Sarawak,” he said at the launch of I-Syariah here on Friday evening.
His text-of-speech was read by Sarawak Syariah Chief Judge Awang Suhaili Ledi.
Adding on, Dr Abdul Rahman said officials from other states who had come here for a visit, admired Sarawak’s digitalisation and ICT development, and would want to follow suit.
The development of the system, he added, would go hand-in-hand with the government’s plan towards digital economy.
“With co-operation from the State Services Modernisation Unit, and Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd (Sains) as a vendor, I’m confident the new ICT project can be implemented.”
Dr Abdul Rahman also believed that the I-Syariah could transform the department into an efficient and effective implementing agency, in that the platform would improve its service deliver, and also reduce bureaucracy and incidence of public complaints regarding its services.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Syariah Court Judiciary Department chief registrar Abdul Karim Mohd Nuli said I-Syariah’s key objectives were to improve the current processes, and replace the existing system.
“It will connect all Syariah Court offices throughout Sarawak online, coordinate information-sharing, and enable it (Syariah Court) to improve the quality of its judiciary services,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the Sarawak government developed a Syariah Court system known as ‘SEMak’ in 1996. It was renamed e-Syariah in 2002, and was later taken over by the federal government.
“The new system would include court recording and transcribing, and video conferencing systems. It also helps the department prepare comprehensive statistics for the Sarawak government, especially if related issues are being raised during the State Legislative Assembly sitting,” he said.