June 23, 2011 - A total of 13 delegates from Melaka Syariah Court (hereinafter referred as "MSNM"), headed by the Honourable Chief Judge, Datuk Mahammad Bin Ibrahim and 12 other officers and staff have been able to have a visit to the Family Court and Syariah Court in Singapore on 23.6.2011. MSNM desire to step into the international arena has been done with this tour.
While leaving in the late morning at 2:30 am on 23.6.2011 did not break the spirit of all delegations to meet the long-planned agenda. About 9:10 in the morning, all the delegates were brought to the Family Court, located at 3, Havelock Square Singapore 059725. In the Family Court, there was an introduction on overview of Family Court slot delivered by Ms Jocelyn Ong as a District Judge in the Family and Juvenile Court. All of us gained a lot of informations including the process of mediation, counseling, execution of orders, proceedings of the case, and programs to maintain harmony in a household and protect the welfare of children as victims of divorce.
In addition, all delegates are presented with a briefing on information technology by Ms Catherine Lam, which introduced a system used in handling cases in Family and Juvenile Court. We are of the view that the system known as the Electronic Filing System ("EFS") can help all those involved directly with the Court such as the public as the litigants, lawyers as well as the judge.
Once brought to visit the building of Family and Juvenile, we had a clear picture with regards to the structure of trial chambers, chambers of children's court room, mediation room, counter to a more customer-friendly room, nursery, and the concept of waiting area which is attractive and the system used whereby we can emulate and implement in MSNM.
After that, as promised, we are taken to visit the Syariah Court of Singapore at 2.30 pm where we were pleased by the President and officials of the Syariah Court Singapore is located in the Family Link @ Lengkok Bahru, 8 Lengkok Bahru # 03-01, Singapore 159052. The services provided in the Syariah Court do not have much difference with the Family Court of Singapore. The program began with a briefing on Singapore Syariah Court delivered by Mr Abdul Jalil Bin Abdul Razak, and followed with the bilateral talks that touched on issues of coordination between Shari'a law in Malaysia and Singapore.
Although the program is quite compact, all delegates are satisfied and many benefits can be gained during this visit. Thanks to the Family Court and Syariah Court of Singapore for willing to spend time for us and we also acknowledge the cooperation of the Melaka State Government to provide chance and opportunity to have this tour, thank you also goes to all delegations and the secretariats who have worked very hard to ensure the success of this visit.
