The Dr Nik Noriani Nik Badli Shah Legal Aid Fund was today officially launched   aimed at easing the financial burdens faced by Muslim women when seeking redress at the Syariah courts.

“While women’s right may be enshrined in the law, many Muslim women, continue to find it difficult to access their rights due to financial constraints,” said Sisters in Islam (SIS) executive director Ratna Osman.

The fund, which was initiated by SIS, aims to collect an amount of RM500,000 to provide legal aid services to Muslim women to help them bear the costs needed for court proceedings.

Ratna ( photo ) said although there were already existing legal aid bureaus that offered Muslim women help, many were being turned away as they could not meet the  fees charged by such centres.

“Does it mean that only those with money get justice and those without money are denied justice?” she asked.

She said the money raised through the fund would be channelled to SIS' legal advisory body, Telenisa, which provided guidance on marriage procedures, divorce, polygamy as well as children maintenance and custody according to Islamic law.

Telenisa, established in 2003, has provided free legal advisory services to approximately 10,200 Muslim clients to date.

Asked later if SIS would also help bear the cost of hiring Syariah lawyers, Ratna said this could be  is possible if the funds collected were sufficient.   

Named after Towering Malaysian

The fund is named in memory of the late Nik Noriani, who served as an assistant parliamentary draftsman and a deputy commissioner for Law Revision in 1986.

She also played a crucial role in the drafting of the Violence Act 1994 during her tenure at the Attorney-General’s Chambers.  

Present at the launching of the Dr Nik Noriani Nik Badli Shah Legal Aid Fund  was the late Nik Noriani’s uncle, Nik Mohd Amin who later donated RM100,000 on behalf of Noriani's estate.        

Activist Marina Mahathir ( photo ), who was present at the launch, commended SIS’ initiative in helping women facing financial hurdles in their pursuit of justice.  

“Men don’t have the same problem [..] women do because of our care-giving role. Hopefully. this fund will help them to make their lives easier,” she said when met after the function.

Those who wish to contribute to the fund are advised to contact SIS Forum's Hazline Mahmood at hazel@sistersinislam.org.my for further information.