Pahang Pardons Board plans to adopt Islamic law of diyat - Tengku Abdullah

The Pahang Pardons Board plans to adopt the Islamic law of "diyat" as an alternative to grant pardon to convicts awaiting death sentence.

The Regent of Pahang said, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the system, believed never implemented in other states, had been discussed by the board.

"This system provides an opportunity for convicts to be given other suitable punishment instead of the death sentence based on the views of the victim's family.

"This approach is accordance with Islamic law. We can discuss with the families of the victims, and it depends on cases," he said when met after the commissioning of syariah lawyers in the state here today.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Pahang State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammmad Safian Ismail, Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) deputy president Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan and Pahang Syariah Lawyers Organisation chairman Mohamad Sazali Abdul Aziz.

Tengku Abdullah said diyat could also be practised for convicts from other faiths and not confined to Muslims only.

Meanwhile in his speech, Tengku Abdullah reminded syariah lawyers to abide by the Islamic laws and ethics to maintain the image of their profession and in upholding Islam.

"Discharge your responsibilities well in upholding justice so that the people are always protected,'' he added.

He said being well-verse in Islamic laws, they should go down to the ground to explain to the people on the matter to avoid any confusion.

A total of 89 syariah lawyers received their letters of commission today and they included State Women and Family, Communications and Multimedia Committee chairman Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin.

-- BERNAMA