KUALA LUMPUR: The syariah court must dispense justice with compassion and fairness in upholding the principles of Islam, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
There have been many complaints that women are victimised in the syariah system.
"In nafkah (alimony) cases, divorce and many other cases, women become victims. There is also a lack of enforcement in syariah court decisions.
"Do not allow women to become victims," he said in his speech at the launch of National Women's Day here yesterday.
Najib stressed that Islam was a religion of compassion and mercy and this must be reflected in any judgment made by the syariah court.
He also said the court must not go overboard and that physical punishment should only be considered as a last resort.
"What is most important is that there must be an opportunity to find a sense of justice and to redeem one's self, and I hope the right people will hear what I have just said."
Earlier, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil welcomed the decision by the Pahang syariah court to defer and review Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno's caning punishment.
She said the move by the Pahang Syariah Court of Appeals chief judge was a good step forward in defending the cause of justice and clearing the court's good name from negative perceptions that arose from the case.
The judgment drew flak from numerous parties, particularly women's groups, and even earned international news coverage.
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