KUCHING: The digital transformation driven by I-Syariah has enabled Syariah Court hearings and filings to be conducted seamlessly, says Sarawak Chief Syarie Judge Datuk Awang Suhaili Ledi.
He said the system, developed in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Policy and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), has played a key role in improving case management statewide.
“I-Syariah greatly helps the Syariah Court manage filings, registrations, proceedings, and hearings, ensuring that all legal and administrative matters are conducted more efficiently and effectively.
“Digitalisation allows all data to be recorded accurately and tracked, so any changes can be monitored and records cannot be easily tampered with, so, in terms of integrity, it is assured,” he said.
He said this to reporters during the Sarawak National Syariah Convention (KoSKeS) 2025 at Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak here Tuesday (June 24).
Earlier, he said the system’s integration supports the federal and state governments’ commitment under the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) to deliver fast, secure and transparent public services powered by technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
“In line with this call and the vision and mission of the Sarawak Public Service, the Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department, together with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) and the Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU) under the Sarawak Premier’s Department, have developed the Syariah Intelligent Management System, better known as I-Syariah.
“The I-Syariah system, officially implemented in 2020, was first proposed in 2018 as part of the JKSS Transformation Plan.
“It builds on earlier systems for managing Syariah court cases, starting with the Syariah Court Information System in 1991, COCIS in 1996, and the SEMak system in 1997, which was later upgraded to e-Syariah in 2002 and adopted nationwide,” he said.
He added that this system helps minimise external interference or manipulation by any party and the Audit Trail feature in this system can show any information or record that has been altered.
“ And the I-Syariah system supports the objectives of the ongoing Sarawak National Syariah Convention (KoSKeS) 2025 which aims to strengthen the Syariah legal system through digitalisation and AI, to position the judiciary as a core pillar of Islamic justice through technological innovation and to strengthen regional collaboration for sharing best practices and contemporary innovations in Syariah law,” he added.
During the two-day convention (June 24-25), delegates from Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, along with invited panels, will take part in presentations, forums, and knowledge-sharing sessions to exchange strategies and build a progressive and universal digital Syariah judiciary.
Awang Suhaili reminded all stakeholders that this transformation goes beyond digitising a manual system.
“This is not just about using technology, but about changing our mindset and work culture to build a fairer and more inclusive system that reflects Islamic values.
“Moving forward, we are committed to making the Syariah Courts in Sarawak a trusted institution that delivers justice quickly, correctly, and wisely, in line with Islam as a religion of compassion,” he said.
