JAKIM holds roundtable to study syariah-based diyat as a faster, fairer compensation mechanism for road accident victims and their families.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has initiated a study into implementing a *diyat* system for road accident compensation.
A roundtable discussion was held today in collaboration with the Federal Territories Mufti Department and related agencies to examine the proposal.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the roundtable was a strategic step to strengthen social justice. He stated it aligns with the Malaysia MADANI framework through a syariah-compliant and progressive approach.
“Today’s roundtable serves as a key platform for experts from government agencies, the judiciary, and the syariah and legal fields, along with other stakeholders, to exchange views and ideas,” he said in a statement.
The discussions aimed to examine the proposal’s feasibility and assess its legal implications. They focused on *diyat* as a restorative, humanitarian form of compensation based on Islamic principles.
Zulkifli emphasised that *diyat* is not merely financial compensation. He described it as a mechanism with moral dimensions that upholds accountability and protects victims’ rights.
He said it could offer substantive justice, complementing existing civil and insurance or takaful claims. This would directly benefit accident victims and their families.
The minister highlighted that some victims still face long delays and high costs despite existing claims. This underscores the need for a faster and fairer alternative mechanism.
“This issue underscores the need for an alternative mechanism that is faster, fairer and protects victims’ welfare,” he said.
He stressed his department is committed to reviewing all proposals carefully before any new policy is introduced. Stakeholders’ views will be fully considered in this process.
Zulkifli expressed hope that the roundtable is a starting point for a more effective compensation system. He said it should be guided by *maqasid syariah* and the goals of Malaysia MADANI.
The outcomes from the discussion will guide the government in shaping future accident compensation policies. “We want to ensure that any decisions made truly reflect justice and compassion for all Malaysians,” he said.
