MSWP launches Sulh Centre and fast-track service, enabling selected cases to be resolved in as little as an hour.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Syariah Court (MSWP) today launched its Sulh Centre and introduced a Sulh Fast-Track service, enabling selected cases to be resolved in a significantly shorter timeframe, with some settlements reached in as little as an hour.
Religious Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of Syariah Court services.
“Through the Fast-Track service, some cases can now be resolved in less than a day, while others are concluded in about an hour,” he told reporters after the launch of the MSWP Sulh Centre here, which also houses a podcast studio to enhance public engagement and the dissemination of information on Syariah Court services.
Also present were Syariah Judiciary Department director-general Datuk Mohd Amran Mat Zin and Federal Territories Chief Syariah Judge Mohd Asri Tahir.
Zulkifli said the government is also reviewing measures to further enhance the fast-track system, including strengthening the legal framework, improving human resource competency and expanding training for sulh officers to ensure the dispute resolution mechanism remains effective and relevant.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli said the Sulh Centre is a rebranding of the Sulh Section, first introduced in 2001, with its role expanded to cover five core areas, comprising sulh council, arbitration (hakam), reconciliation (islah), advisory and mediation, as well as analytics and strategic planning, covering a broader range of civil (mal) cases.
“Statistics for 2022 and 2023 showed that 88 per cent of cases referred to the sulh process were resolved through mutual agreement, with the success rate rising to 90 per cent in 2024.
“The figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the sulh approach in resolving disputes amicably,” he added.
At the event, 43 arbitrators comprising court officers and qualified individuals were also appointed to strengthen arbitration services under the Sulh Centre.
