The "I-Syariah System" Propels Sarawak's Islamic Law into the Digital Era, Enhancing Efficiency and Transparency

(Kuching, 24th) — The Sarawak Islamic Legal Judiciary is entering the digital era by introducing the "I-Syariah System," an intelligent platform that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with digital technology, effectively enhancing administrative efficiency and service quality.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah pointed out at the opening ceremony of the National Syariah Law Conference (KOSKES) today that this system is a key strategic achievement from the collaboration between the Sarawak Islamic Legal Judiciary Department (JKSS) and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS). It aims to improve the efficiency, transparency, and systematic management of Islamic law services in Sarawak.

He said the I-Syariah system is now widely used in processes such as marriage registration and case management, greatly accelerating processing speed and acting as a digital bridge connecting the public with both local and international Islamic judicial systems.

This year's conference, themed "The Digital Revolution of Sarawak's Islamic Judicial System," echoes the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and Sarawak's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which regards digitalization as one of the main pillars driving social and economic development.

Awang Tengah emphasized that the implementation of the I-Syariah system also supports the state's 2030 Digital Economy Blueprint and lays the foundation for building a smart governance system based on Islamic principles.

"Artificial intelligence has immense potential and can assist in more rapid and accurate case retrieval, legal analysis, document drafting, and making data-driven decisions," he said.

However, he stressed that the application of technology must be grounded in the core Islamic legal value—justice—and must not deviate from the spirit of religious law.

He also proposed that Sarawak's Islamic law system be further developed into a "Smart Islamic Governance" model, combining Islamic values with the power of modern technology to create a more forward-looking and inclusive system.

Regarding the National Syariah Law Conference, he hopes that this platform can foster knowledge exchange and strategic cooperation among regional countries in the Islamic judicial field, strengthen the operational capacity of Islamic legal institutions, and further enhance the professionalism of Sarawak's judges and Islamic legal officers.

Additionally, Awang Tengah also witnessed the exchange and signing of memoranda of understanding between the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding and three universities—International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA), Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), and University of Malaya (UM)—further deepening academic and judicial collaboration.