Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) will conduct a study on the appropriateness of the Civil Law Act 1956, said UIA president Rais Yatim.

"The law has been in force since 1956 without a single amendment, whereas many quarters want the Act which was adopted directly from Britain to be reviewed," he said.

rais yatim wisma berita rtm 060612 He said the university's law faculty will be carrying out the study in collaboration with the Attorney-General's Chambers, Bar Council and other relevant parties to determine the best approach to amend the Act.

Malaysia needed to adopt jurisprudence which reflected the local heritage and also refer to relevant laws and cases from India, Fiji or some

other Islamic countries.

"Our system and that of the region can be a referral point to determine a particular law. In fact the review of the Civil Law Act is in line with Malaysia's current economic and social development," he added.

Rais was speaking to reporters after opening the Law and Society, Commercial Laws and Islamic Finance Conference 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

- Bernama