Sarawak Premier: Under the Islamic Judicial System, Everyone Should Be Treated Fairly

(Kuching, 23rd) The Sarawak government is committed to ensuring that no one is overlooked in the process of seeking their rights and justice through Islamic judicial institutions, in line with Sarawak’s principle of social inclusiveness.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that this commitment reflects the state government’s vision to ensure that all strata of society can access judicial justice fairly and equally.
He said: “The responsibility of upholding justice for the people not only falls on the Islamic judges who make rulings in court, but also relies on all relevant parties within the Islamic judicial and legal ecosystem to shoulder it together.

“Under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), I uphold the principle of 'leaving no one behind.' Therefore, I also hope that in the process of seeking rights and justice through the Islamic judicial institutions, no one will be left behind. This is precisely one of the principles of social inclusiveness that I want to realize in Sarawak.”
Abang Johari made these remarks on Thursday (January 22) when officiating the opening of the 2026 Sarawak Islamic Legal Annual Dinner at the Raia Hotel and Convention Centre in Kuching.
Those present included Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Datuk Patinggi Faziah Mohamad Sanusi.
Abang Johari pointed out that the Islamic judicial system not only plays a key role in upholding the law, but also makes important contributions to social welfare and inclusive development.
He said that the event has been held for the second consecutive year, reflecting the state government’s commitment to strengthening the Islamic judicial institution so that it becomes an inclusive institution, upholding integrity and earning public trust.

He said that this year’s theme, “Strengthening Judicial Independence and Islamic Legislation,” is particularly timely and important in the context of an increasingly complex legal environment and a more rational and critical society.
He said: “Judicial independence is a fundamental principle to ensure that courts can perform their duties freely, fairly, and justly, without being influenced by political pressure, personal interests, or public sentiment.”
He also linked the Islamic judicial system with Sarawak’s PCDS 2030, noting that the principle of social inclusiveness under this strategy is highly in line with the Islamic values of justice, fairness, and protecting the vulnerable.

He added that efforts to bring the Islamic judicial system closer to the people should include simplifying procedures, using more understandable language, enhancing public awareness of Islamic law, and expanding the accessibility of Islamic legal aid.
He said: “Justice is not achieved by judges alone, but is the joint achievement of the entire Islamic judicial and legal system, including lawyers, prosecutors, enforcement officers, and frontliners who interact directly with the public.”