KUCHING: The Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSS) aims to cultivate legal awareness, confidence and integrity among students through the ‘Mahkamah Mut Syariah’ competition.
Sarawak Syariah Chief Judge, Datuk Awang Suhaili Ledi, said the competition provided participants with valuable exposure to Syariah legal proceedings, research and advocacy.
“The ‘Mahkamah Mut Syariah’ is not merely a competition about who speaks most eloquently, but about facts, law, authorities and logical thinking,” he added.
He said this in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Syariah Court Competition for the 2026 Sarawak Chief Syariah Judge’s Cup at the Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department’s Seminar Room here yesterday.
Awang Suhaili said good advocacy must be accompanied by integrity, responsibility and commitment to seeking truth, rather than simply focusing on winning arguments.
He said the two-day competition challenged students to examine case facts, understand legal issues, formulate arguments and respond calmly before judges.
“This year, participants did not receive Syariah lawyers as mentors, giving them greater opportunities to test their own abilities,” he added.
He said the approach was positive as students needed opportunities to develop courage, intellectual discipline, teamwork and confidence through practical experiences.
Awang Suhaili said the competition, first held in 2024 before returning this year, sought to strengthen interest among young people in Syariah law.
He said JKSS wanted students to gain early exposure to the Syariah judicial system while developing communication, advocacy and critical-thinking skills.
“The judiciary requires knowledge, discipline, accuracy and integrity, and these are among the values we want to instil through this programme,” he added.
SMKA Tun Ahmad Zaidi emerged champion of the 2026 competition, with SMKA Matang 2 named runner-up, while SMKA Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab and SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud received consolation prizes.
SMKA Tun Ahmad Zaidi also won the Best Written Submission award, while its student Elliessya Qu Qhaierra Junaidi received the Yang Dipertua Majlis Islam Sarawak Special Award for Best Oral Submission.
Awang Suhaili said participants should not measure success solely through competition results, as knowledge, confidence and understanding of justice were more valuable outcomes.
He said skills gained through the competition, including evaluating facts, presenting arguments respectfully and defending positions based on evidence, would benefit students regardless of their future careers.
The competition involved students from SMKA Tun Ahmad Zaidi, SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud, SMKA Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab and SMKA Matang 2.
Awang Suhaili expressed appreciation to the Sarawak Education Department, participating schools, teachers, judges, organisers and JKSS staff for supporting the programme.
He hoped the competition would continue growing as a strategic platform connecting the Syariah judiciary with the education sector.
“The judiciary should not be viewed only as an institution people approach when disputes arise, but also as a platform for legal education,” he said.
He said a strong judicial system depended not merely on buildings, laws or technology, but on knowledgeable, trustworthy and courageous individuals committed to upholding justice.
