MUSLIMS TO BENEFIT FROM STREAMLINING ISLAMIC AFFAIRS

SEREMBAN (Malaysia), Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The move to streamline Islamic
affairs nationwide is aimed at enhancing religious administration for the
benefit of Muslims, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr. Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi.

He said it was not aimed at taking over the administration of Islamic
affairs from the state governments.

The federal government has no jurisdiction over Islamic affairs in the
states but merely uses its discretion to streamline them, he told reporters
after opening an Islamic converts centre which was built on a wakaf (endowment)
land here Friday.

He said with the harmonisation of certain rules, the Syarie Bar Council
could be set up to enable syarie lawyers to practice nationwide.

"At present, syarie lawyers could practice only in the states where they are
registered but not in other states.

"The Syariah Judicial Department is making efforts to streamline the
procedures to pave the way for the setting up of the Syarie Bar Council," he
said, adding that he would be meeting state judicial department officials to
discuss about it.

Ahmad Zahid said the government had approved an allocation of RM256.5
million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the development of wakaf (endowment)
assets nationwide. (US$1=RM3.60)
-- BERNAMA