E-Siap enables Penang Syariah Court to settle cases in a day

The Penang Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSNPP) has implemented the E-SIAP (Syariah Instant Access Procedure) that allows cases of mutual agreement to be resolved within one day.

Penang Syariah Chief Judge Datuk Abdul Walid Abu Hassan said implementation of E-SIAP involved the introduction of new innovations, among them initiating 'e-pleading' for clients to prepare their own pleas.

"Clients can prepare their pleas on the computers that are provided at every high and lower district courts and then print them for use when they want to register their case with a minimum payment of RM5.

"Indirectly, e-pleading has been able to shorten the time taken in preparing their pleadings," he said at the opening of the 2016 Annual Syariah Judiciary Meeting here Friday.

Abdul Walid said there had been an increase in the number of cases filed at the Syariah Court due to increasing awareness among the Muslim community, especially in cases of divorce, child custody, alimony, inheritance and marriage confirmation.