Terengganu proposes to increase number of sharia enforcers

KUALA TERENGGANU - The state government is intending to increase the number of sharia enforcers even on a contract basis next year to ensure that their tasks can be better carried out.

Terengganu Shariah. Education and Higher Education Implementation Exco Datuk Satiful Bahri Mamat said so far there were 85 sharia enforcers in Terengganu and the number was not enough compared to the state's 1.2 million citizens.

He said out of the total, only 17 enforcers were on duty at the Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT), Kuala Terengganu.

"In the Kuala Terengganu district there are nine enforces, Kemaman (12), Dungun (nine), Besut (nine), Hulu Terengganu (10), Marang (five), Setiu (seven) and Kuala Nerus (seven) with 62 being men while 23 were women," he said.

He said this in response to a question from Hilmi Harun (Pas-Manir) regarding the number of sharia enforcement officers in each district at the Terengganu State Assembly, here, on Tuesday.

Bahri answered an additional question regarding sharia enforcement volunteers and said the list of volunteers' names had been sent to JHEAT to be evaluated.

He explained that JHEAT had its own standard operating procedure (SOP) and he was waiting for the results.

"In addition, the government is now in the efforts to make improvements towards the sharia enforcement department's portfolio at all levels," he said.