The proposal to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355), aimed at empowering the syariah courts in the country should not be turned into a polemic, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

He said now was the best time for the jurisdiction of the syariah courts be upgraded as the last time the act was amended was 32 years ago, in 1984.

"Efforts to enlighten the public (on the proposed amendments) are showing positive signs... people understand it more now. It is just a simple issue, that is, to upgrade position of the syariah courts," he told reporters after officially opening the Federal Territory-level Maal Hijrah celebration today.

Asyraf Wajdi said the briefings on the proposed amendments, which were expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October, were conducted in order for the public to have a clearer picture of the matter.

The Private Member's Bill on the proposed amendments was tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also Marang Member of Parliament, in the Dewan Rakyat on May 25.

Meanwhile, Asyraf Wajdi said Muslims in the country should make a paradigm shift in thinking by putting the interests of Islam as the ultimate goal in life.

He said Muslims, regardless of their political affiliation, should remain united.

At the event, Asyraf Wajdi also presented awards to four Maal Hijrah figures for the Federal Territory level, namely the Tokoh Utama award to ProfAzizan Baharuddin, Sharin Low Abdullah (Corporate category), Supt Ghazali Daud (Preacher category) and Prof Noor Aziah Mohd Awal (Scholar category).

- Bernama